Mile 247 Report
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
September 20, 2020
This survey was about two weeks later than we had intended.
Report Details
This survey was about two weeks later than we had intended. It was delayed because of the Echo Mountain Complex Fire. By the time of this survey, the local air had cleared and people were out enjoying a fresh air Sunday on a beautiful beach. We saw more people than we usually see, but still not many owing to difficult access. We saw remarkably little evidence of plastic waste, either from people on the beach or washed in from the surf. Not sure of the cause for this positive development, although fewer people recreating this year, and interruption of the cruise line industry because of Covid-19, may be causing less trash on our beaches generally.
Conditions
Temperature: 68 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 6.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 12. Other Activities: Most if not all of the people present had arrived via boat or kayak along the Salmon River..
Concerns
Apparent violations: None.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3.
Driftline Content
We saw an unusually high number of Mermaid's Purses (egg cases).
New Development
This beach is often dynamic and on this day wave action had carved a ledge along the surf line near the northern end of the beach. We expect the beach to look different on our next survey.
Natural Changes
One or two trees had apparently been blown down at the top of a cliff, possibly related to the recent windstorm that had fanned local fires.
Report Images
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CoastWatcher
All Mile 247 Reports
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
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Sitka Team members and Sitka Center artists in residence accessed Mile 247 via kayak, walked south taking observations of the beach mile and met Camp Westwind Team members near Mile 247's rocky habitat.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
This CoastWatch survey was conducted by Sitka Team member Nancy and 4 members of the Sitka Center 2024 resident cohort: Thomas, Erin, Christian and Fran.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
Sitka Center for Art and Ecology team members Nancy and Alison conducted this CoastWatch survey.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
During this survey there were no visible Ochre Sea Stars in the rocky habitat at the south end of Mile 247.
Nancy Newman
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
As stated above, notable wildlife on the estuary side of the sand spit included 2 herons, 1 harbor seal and many small (approx.
SitkaCenter21
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
The group of 6 survey participants consisted of Sitka Center & CoastWatch staff, and community members.
SitkaCenter21
Mile 247
South Spit Salmon River, Tillamook/Lincoln county line
The site was accessed by kayak and the survey team walked around the north end of the sand spit to the ocean side of the monitored mile.
SitkaCenter21