April 12, 2024

Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -1.5 feet.

Number of people: 125. Number of dogs: 18. Walking or running: 100. Sitting: 125. Tidepooling: 25. Other Activities: Families were building sandcastles. Kite flying. Napping. Looking for glass floats. Metal detecting for gold and silver. Trash collection. Sitting and listening to music. Sand art/drawing.. The Coastwatch vehicle was parked on the beach, in the designated area. As part of this organization, we model/teach environmentally sustainable practices. We were curious why this vehicle chose to park on the beach instead of street parking. The team noted tire tracks north of D River in nondesigned areas.

Litter, Climbing bluffs/seastacks

Apparent violations: South of D River: A landowner has cut down and trimmed trees at the edge of the property. The debris was pushed over onto the bluff. We also noted where the debris landed, erosion was more substantial. Large pieces of sandstone collected below the debris. There were many areas south of D River where individuals have carved names, inappropriate words, and a variety of initials. Carvings were noted on sandstone cliffs, large boulders, and large pieces of driftwood. More foot traffic is happening in restricted areas. We noted that footprints are causing damage to shore plants as well as the sandstone cliffs. Larger items have been left on Mile 242. Our team removed twenty-five pounds of litter, including a mattress, sewer pipe, and a throw rug..

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 5.

The team viewed the following. Black OysterCatchers Surfbirds (5) Gulls Beach hoppers Sea Stars (6) Sculpins (many) Hermit crabs (many) Sea Anemones

Total dead birds: 3. 2 Auklets (no bands) 1 unknown (no band)

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). We observed beach hoppers.

Steps down bluff. We noted that a developed property owner extended the steps that were previously built so that the residence could reach the beach.

Dune modification/removal. Driftwood pieces were put at the bottom of someone's stairs to create steps up to their stairway.

Newly exposed roots/trees falling. More rocks were exposed due to the low tide. One team member found a fossilized bone in the rocks by the tidepool area. (Photo included) We are monitoring one area, GPS coordinates 44*57'42"N 124*1'10"W. The intention is to watch this sand cliff cliff over time. We will include a photo with each report.