Mile 243 Report
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
September 5, 2023
The Morning After Labor Day weekend is a lovely time on the Oregon Coast.
Report Details
The Morning After Labor Day weekend is a lovely time on the Oregon Coast. A few things were notable even if not totally rare: Significant number of groups of three pelican all flying north. Usually groups vary from 3 to maybe 12 or more but there were probably 20 or more groups of only three. Also in threes, tuna trollers. Typically one or maybe two but three very close to the shore which might have explained the pelicans.The 3' - 5' bank of sand near the tide line had been smoothed in the last week and the beach was more gently sloped again.The bank had trapped a number of "large lakes" closer to the bank and these were drying up leaving a cracking layer of sediments in interesting patterns. See photo attached but the sediments were much darker than appear in the photo and quite fragrant.Instead of a separate Dispatch, I will combine observations on September 7 of three dead sea lions.. again interestingly the number three. All were within about 200 yards near NW 30th, Lincoln City. One was very fresh, one not so fresh, and a smaller partial that was well decayed. Unusual to find three so close together at the same time. Again, photos attached.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 115. Number of dogs: 10. Playing in surf: 5. Sitting: 4. Tidepooling: 35. Surfing: 1. Vehicle access has continued to be closed making the beach less hostile and people more reasonable.
Notable Wildlife
Significant number of pelicans, almost all in groups of three which is unusual, all flying north.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 5. Decayed, not able to identify
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass.
Wecoma Beach 09/05/2023
Sediment from drying beach lakes, Wecoma Beach 09052023. It was much darker than the sunny photo shows and very fragrant
Adult sea lion, no visible signs of injury but recently dead. Close to low tide line,
Adult dead sea lion, not fresh, closer to the bank than surf
Significantly decayed critter, assume sea lion
Report Images
garretta
CoastWatcher
All Mile 243 Reports
Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
It has been a very hard year for Lion's Mane jellies with large numbers of whole or almost whole jellies and pieces, large and small at the tide line. Enjoyed meeting a praying mantis and, hopefully assisting in its recovery from the tide.
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Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
Bright, sunny but windy Thursday after Memorial Day weekend.
Garretta
Mile 243
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Broad sunny beach on a holiday weekend.
Patty Gardner
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Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
Significant changes specifically at NW 30th Street in front of Surftides Motel with exposed slabs, large rocks, gravel fields and huge boulders where only flat sand was before.
Garretta
Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
Beautiful sunny Spring Break morning.
Patty Gardner
Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
Balmy 40 degree quiet day after a week of freezing rain and significant ice with temps in the low 30's.
Garretta Garetta
Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
For the first time, no dead birds or mammals seen, but many dead fish at the wrack line today.
Patty Gardner
Mile 243
Wecoma Beach, Lincoln City
Again, short walk today but unusual concentration of dead fish, maybe 20-30 from NW 32nd to NW 26th Streets, Wecoma Beach.
Garretta