Mile 222 Report
Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
April 1, 2016
Some portions of the beach are now exposed rock from the bluff to the shoreline, thanks to El Nino.
Report Details
Some portions of the beach are now exposed rock from the bluff to the shoreline, thanks to El Nino. I love observing the variations over the course of the year; I don't think there has been this much rock exposure since I started walking this beach. The drainpipe sets have totally changed their configuration from previous reports, so from now on I will just observe the numbers and status: Intact (PVC pipe and cement/steel casing): 19 Bare pvc pipes: 6 in bluff, 1 on the ground Casings in tidal area: 3 (The three casings near the surf line solved the mystery for me of how/why one whole "set" was missing -- it was low tide, so I didn't see them until the return leg!) Velella velella were thickly strewed all over the beach, in every driftline from recent tides, most of them less than 4mm in length -- pretty stinky!
Conditions
Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 20. Number of dogs: 9. Walking or running: 14. Playing in sand: 1. Sitting: 1. Other Activities: Climbing: 2 (on lower rocks).
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 6.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. Enganglement: 1. One pelagic cormorant entangled in net
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. decomposing sea lion on grate over Wade Creek outflow (near emergency access lane)
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. Minuscule Velella velella
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Car/boat battery, 2 tires, crab trap
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling. Landslides/major boulder falls
Report Images
dderickson
CoastWatcher
All Mile 222 Reports
Mile 222
Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
A windy day without much to report; just the usual off-leash dogs (no shorebirds present to potentially be flushed) and trash.
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Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
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Mile 222
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Gorgeous but cold and windy day.
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Mile 222
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Peaceful, unsettlingly warm (for time of year) morning.
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Mile 222
Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
Relatively high amount of people, mainly dogwalkers, out early for a pleasant Sunday morning trip to the beach.
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Mile 222
Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
Very little water in Wade Creek.
222Tender
Mile 222
Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
The beach fire close to vegetation, and somewhat close to access point was the main unusual concern to report, otherwise just the usual concern of trash.
FlaningamM
Mile 222
Moolack Beach N, Coal Creek, S of Wade Creek
Notable highlights: relatively small landslide at the mile's middle parking lot; large piece of shipping debris; large tree debris (unusual to see large natural or unnatural debris at this mile; the usual trash (though as usual, less than seen at miles 223 and 224 to the north); a bald eagle and barn swallows!
FlaningamM