Mile 239 Report
Salishan Spit north, Siletz Bay
March 2, 2008
Rather cloudy today, which could explain why we saw so few folks.
Report Details
Rather cloudy today, which could explain why we saw so few folks. On the seaward side of the spit, the only wildlife observed were a couple of Western gulls following us as we collected trash. On the bayside, however, we saw Common merganser, Bufflehead, Northern Pintails, Mallards, White-winged Scoters, Surf Scoters, Western gulls, crows, and Great Blue Heron. We actually observed a crow with a fish in its bill being chased by a gull...one wonders if the fish first belonged to the gull? Found a dead Fork-tailed Storm-petrel and a dead newborn Harbor seal (photos). Also, the temporary signs warning folks to stay away from the seals are in bad shape and need to be replaced. At the extreme north end of the spit, observed over 100 Harbor seals hauled out on the beach...no distress or agitation, quite calm in fact.
Conditions
Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW.
Human Activities
Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 5.
Notable Wildlife
On seaward side of spit, only a couple of Western gulls following us as we collected trash; on the bayside, Western gulls, crows, Buffleheads, Common mergansers, White-winged scoters, Surf scoters, Mallard ducks, Northern Pintail ducks, and Great Blue heron.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. Two Western gulls, one Western grebe, and one Fork-tailed storm-petrel (photo included).
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Not stranded, but noted a dead, newborn Harbor seal being eaten by gull (photo included).
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces. Actually, beach fairly clean today.
Report Images
Shafer
CoastWatcher
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Salishan Spit north, Siletz Bay
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Mile 239
Salishan Spit north, Siletz Bay
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