Mile 259 Report
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
November 30, 2009
This survey turned up the most dead wildlife that we have ever encountered on this mile.
Report Details
This survey turned up the most dead wildlife that we have ever encountered on this mile. There was a fairly strong storm earlier in the month, however. There was a layer of sand over the parking lot on the lee side of the foredune; we have never seen that before in our many years visiting this beach. The 8 dead northern fulmars we saw matched other reports from nearby beaches. We also found two dead pelicans and two dead cackling geese. We are also COASST volunteers and have made them aware of the number of dead birds encountered.
Human Activities
Number of people: 2. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 2. There must have been more than 2 other people around, but it was too foggy to see very far.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Pelicans and gulls were flying around.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 12. No bands seen. There were 8 northern fulmars, 2 brown pelicans, and 2 cackling geese.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. One very dead sea lion was in the driftline.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
1 dead bottom fish was in the driftline.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass. The driftline was very thin except for the occasional kelp pile.
Natural Changes
The beach was quite slanted from the foredune to the surfline (just the seasonal effect).
All Mile 259 Reports
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
The day we visited the beach was busier than what it has been.
JGEMS
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
extreme cliff/dune erosion from recent King Tides
Linda Fink
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
It was a sunny and beautiful day at the coast.
Polaris Polaris
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
We were not able to walk the entire mile, but we could see down the beach.
Mike Weddle
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
This was the first trip for JGEMS for this beach with Jesse Jones from Coastwatch and Patricia McBride from the Oregon Coast Aquarium.
JGEMS
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
Overall a very clean and beautiful coastline.
Polaris
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
It was a pleasant, sunny day with well-separated groups of people--including young children--just relaxing on the beach.
powston1
Mile 259
Nestucca Spit State Park, Kiwanda Beach
From my perspective on horseback, the beach looked in great shape and was being used by visitors just like a beach should be on a nice summer day.
powston1