Mile 243 Report
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
July 11, 2007
I have been following the behaviors along the rocks at ebb tides this month, as large mussels have appeared onshore and in the grasses.
Report Details
I have been following the behaviors along the rocks at ebb tides this month, as large mussels have appeared onshore and in the grasses. Many of the mussels were still alive. My findings show that large seagulls have been dislodging the mussels from the tops of the rocky outcroppings. They do this by snipping the tough strings by which the mussels attach themselves to the rocks. Curious behavior among these large gulls is that they do not seem to mind whether anyone else collects the deposited mussels. I have been watching for a possible reason for this un-gullishly generous act, but can discern neither familial nor fillial relationships. The large gulls simply detatch the mussels, grip them by the strings, fly toward shore, drop each mussel and then fly back for more. From time to time, these gulls open an ensconsed mussel and dine while atop the rock.
Conditions
Temperature: 70 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 10. Playing in surf: 2. Playing in sand: 1. Tidepooling: 3.
Notable Wildlife
Seals can be heard most times of the day, calling from just offshore. Usually they call at the cusp of the day, either dawn or dusk. The beach has been surprisingly clean of seaweed or small shell remains for this time of year.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
An unusually small amount has shown up on mile 243.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Picked up a shopping bag of holiday debris since the third.
rainydaywalker
CoastWatcher
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Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
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Mile 243
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Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
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Mile 243
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Garretta Garetta
Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
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Patty Gardner
