Mile 239 - Salishan Spit north, Siletz Bay - 07/07/2024 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

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Pleasant breezy day. We did our CoastWatch walk three days after the 4th of July to see if there was a significant amount of fireworks debris at the end of the Spit. This is where Lincoln City sets off its annual fireworks display. Although there were cardboard pieces from fireworks, there was very little plastic, so I think the debris posed little danger to wildlife. We picked up what we could. The harbor seals must have been traumatized by the noise and probably left the area but they were back on the Spit today. One dead seal pup noted but other than that, the population looks healthy.

Conditions

Temperature: 64 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Sitting: 2. Other Activities: Estimated 130 people and 4 dogs on the Taft side of the Siletz River, but we did not walk that side..

Notable Wildlife

Approx. 100 harbor seals in their usual resting spot at the tip of the Salishan Spit

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Harbor seal pup - dead in sand; est. fairly recent death; no trauma observed

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Harbor seals at the tip of the Salishan Spit

Dead seal pup

Dead seal pup

Debris from 4th of July fireworks show

There were lots of these little cardboard pieces from the fireworks. They will probably biodegrade on their own.

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Linda Reid

CoastWatcher

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