Mile 247 Report
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
May 30, 2023
This survey was conducted by Sitka Center Team Members Nancy, Sadie and Cole.
Report Details
This survey was conducted by Sitka Center Team Members Nancy, Sadie and Cole. The beach was unoccupied by others during our time there. We noted a high concentration of molted crab shells in the wrack line, a bald eagle flying overhead, an lack of large debris, a fair amount of hard plastics in the wrack line smaller than 2cm (which we removed from the beach), and a dead sea lion carcass. The crecent shaped beach area at the south end of Mile 247 was inaccessable at this time due to the level of the sand. The dead sea lion was reported to Jim Rice.
Conditions
Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 3. Walking or running: 3. Tidepooling: 3.
Notable Wildlife
We saw high concentrations of mussels, gooseneck barnacles. We also observed a Bald Eagle flying overhead.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Sea lion (dead) present during the previous survey is in the same location (north of the marine debris survey site, halfway between the tide line and the back barrier of sand dunes). Information about the remaining carcass and its location was sent to Jim Rice and he responded that "It appears that scavengers have been making good use of it."
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
There was a high concentration of molted crab shells in the wrack line.
Driftline Content
Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea).
The ocean view from Mile 247
Debris removed from Mile 247
Mussels attached to a large rock at the south end of Mile 247, near the "keyhole" cave and surrounding cliff.
Sitka Team members walking and looking for debris at Mile 247
Sitka Team Members observe a sea lion carcass that has decomposed significantly since it was observed the previous month
Another view of the sea lion carcass decomposing at Mile 247
Report Images
SitkaCenter21
CoastWatcher
All Mile 247 Reports
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
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Survey participants accessed Mile 247 - Salmon River spit via kayaking/paddle boarding across the Salmon River Estuary.
Mile 247 - Salmon River Spit
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Sitka Center team member Nancy and Sitka Center artists in residence Evan, Rose, Katrina, Tim, Maria and M accessed the site via kayak.
Nancy Newman