Mile 239 - Salishan Spit north, Siletz Bay - 03/16/2024 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

A beautiful 70-degree day in mid-March ... we'll take it! More activity than usual on the Salishan Spit but nothing disturbing. Picked up 4 or 5 small pieces of trash. The harbor seals were in two separate groups, probably because there was a bit of a steep drop-off along part of their usual resting place at the mouth of the Siletz River. The westernmost group had at least 80 individuals and the easterly group at least 70. There was evidence of a Velella velella wash-up along the wrack line but all creatures were long dead and dried up. Most seemed smaller than full-grown, i.e., 1 to 1-1/2 inches long as opposed to 3 or 4. Found a small chiton in the wet sand, possibly a lined chiton; there was an animal in the shell so I tossed it back into the ocean.

Conditions

Temperature: 71 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 0.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 32. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 24. Sitting: 6. Other Activities: Biking - 2. 11 cars in parking lot

Notable Wildlife

150+ harbor seals

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Velella velella

Driftline Content

Shells, Wood pieces. Velella velella (dead)

Report Images

Report Images

Linda Reid

CoastWatcher

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