Mile 247 Report
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
August 2, 2023
The group of 6 survey participants consisted of Sitka Center & CoastWatch staff, and community members.
Report Details
The group of 6 survey participants consisted of Sitka Center & CoastWatch staff, and community members. The group observed many species in the rocky intertidal area including sea stars. A sea star observation was conducted using materials/protocol provided by UC Santa Cruz. There was an extrememly low tide which created a lot of sand displacment on the beach. The caves in the rocky intertidal area were more accessable than during the most recent CoastWatch survey conducted by Sitka team members.
Conditions
Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: -1.0 feet.
Activities
Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 12. Playing in surf: 12. Photography: 6. Tidepooling: 12. Kayaking: 6.
Other Activities: 6 people conducted a 15 minute timed, sea star observation survey using protocol sheets provided by UC Santa Cruz..
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 3.
Notable Wildlife
We observed seagulls, lemon dorid nudibranchs, giant green anemones, gooseneck barnacles, giant acorn barnacles, thatched barnacles, mussels, chitens, ochre sea stars, one mottled sea star, kelp, a large red and brown bug (approx. 2.5 inches by 1.5 inches) we could not identify that moved like a grasshopper.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
We observed one, small dead fish in the wrack line towards the south end (ocean side) of Mile 247, near the rocky intertidal area.
Wrackline Content
Shells, Animal casings or molts, Wood pieces, Plastic debri (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea).
survey participant measures sea star close up
survey participant measures sea star close up
Several of the many chitens observed at Mile 247 on August 2
Orange and purple ochre stars clustered near the sand and water line at Mile 247
A orange ochre sea star clinging to a rock at Mile 247. This is a good example of the top of the ochre star looking dehydrated / deflated as it waits for the tide to return. This star is not diseased / not an example of sea star wasting disease.
a close image of a purple shore crab that has recently moulted on the sand, this crab was next to the other crab pictured that was in the middle of moulting. The two crabs were in the mouth of the "keyhole" area at the south end of Mile 247
a close image of a purple shore crab that has recently moulted on the sand, this crab was next to the other crab pictured that was in the middle of moulting. The two crabs were in the mouth of the "keyhole" area at the south end of Mile 247
unidentified bug on the sand at mile 247
unidentified bug on the sand at mile 247
Aug 2, 2023 Mile 247 survey team group photo
Report Images
SitkaCenter21
CoastWatcher
All Mile 247 Reports
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
New/newish landslides, trash/debris and dead pelican
Joan Mahler
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Six survey participants (Sitka Center team, Residency Program participants and community members) accessed Mile 247 via kayaking across the Salmon River Estuary, walked the length of the beach mile observing and noting as they walked. Notes on Community Science Projects: -Ochre sea stars were observed from a distance in the outer area of the rocky habitat. -An MDMAP survey was not conducted during this excursion due to a lack of debris in Mile 247's marine debris monitoring area.
Sitka Center
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Overall, the beach was gorgeous and appeared to be swept clean by recent high tides.
Joan Mahler
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of Sitka Center staff and residency program participants (Jake, Nancy, Sharita and GraySea) accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River Spit by crossing the Salmon River Estuary via kayak and paddleboard.
Sitka Center
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of Sitka Center staff and local volunteers (GraySea, Jake, Nancy, Laurie and Bill) accessed the sand spit via kayak and canoe. The survey team accessed the south side of the 'keyhole' area in the rocky intertidal habitat (southernmost portion of Mile 247) and conducted a 15 minute timed count of ochre sea stars to submit to the MARINe program.
Sitka Team and Community Members
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of Sitka Center staff and local volunteers (Chris, Nancy, Lilly and Melissa) accessed the sand spit via kayak and canoe.
Sitka Center Team and Community Members
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Trash and dead seal
Joan Mahler
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
A survey team of two Sitka Center team members, Jake and Nancy, accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River Spit by crossing the Salmon River Estuary via kayak and paddleboard. During this survey, the survey team was able to access the inner area of the rocky habitat and do a 15 minute timed sea star count in the two sea star monitoring sites. As the survey team walked back north noteable debris included a large tangle of ships rope, noteable wrack line content included a high concentration of giant mole crab casings/moults and small pieces of hard plastics.
Nancy Newman