Mile 239 Report
Salishan Spit north, Siletz Bay
August 1, 2021
We thought it would be foggy on the beach, given the weather the past few days, but it turned out clear and sunny.
Report Details
We thought it would be foggy on the beach, given the weather the past few days, but it turned out clear and sunny. Persistent chilly north wind, though. The harbor seal colony was a little closer to the mouth of the Siletz River than normal, but all grouped together. Social distancing is not a thing with them. Estimated 150 seals or more in the group. Saw several crystal jellies stranded in the sand at the edge of the rivermouth. Very little trash ... we picked up 5 small items.
Conditions
Temperature: 62 F. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.2 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 10. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 7. Playing in sand: 3. Looking across the mouth of the Siletz, we counted 130 people or more and 7 dogs on Taft beach, but did not walk that side. Two parties with dogs were walking at the end of the spit near the harbor seal colony but both appeared to be aware of the cautions to keep their distance.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 5.
Notable Wildlife
150+ harbor seals at the tip of the Salishan Spit
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).
Harbor seal colony at the tip of the Salishan Spit. Taft beach across the Siletz River in the distance.
Harbor seals on the Salishan Spit
Harbor seals on the Salishan Spit
Crystal jelly stranded in the sand
Crystal jelly stranded in the sand
Report Images
ORbeach
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