January 23, 2010

Number of people: 7. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 7. Tidepooling: 2. The posted photograph of plastic debris bears witness to the receding tidal driftline content and a broadcast distribution covering 1/8 mile and 39 feet wide. An average of several square foot samplings in an average density (as opposed to the areas with a very dense driftline content) yielded 109 bits of plastic. That means approximately 2.8 MILLION bits of plastic were on the 1/8 mile stretch of beach! It consisted primarily of pulverized bits but a concentration as well of bottle caps. Special note for Terry Thompson and others in denial about the false sea palm: after HEAVY storms there was not a single dislodged false sea palm. I maintain that the sea palm, found attached to sheared bits of rock and barnacle clusters, washing up on Road's End during the summer months the last three years are the result of bottom dragging.

There were very few birds

Total dead birds: 1. The vestigal remains of a small seabird, perhaps a sanderling.

Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea).