Mile 261 Report
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
October 3, 2023
Weather: Cloudy and Wintery, High tide today 3.
Report Details
Weather: Cloudy and Wintery, High tide today 3.2 feetHigh consentrations of seaweed and kelp continuous through the mile. Have not experienced it like this. Large sized river like pebbles found in surf zone along the entire mile, again I have not experienced it like this. All small and large wood either buried or completely gone, from the south and central sections of the beach. The north section which usually has a large accomulation of large and small wood, was noticably lacking, wood quite sparse. Dunes were soft and continuous. Surf through High Zones on entire length was smooth and gradual, no berms formed in the surf. Wrack Zone is very High and Wide.Found beached Common Murres and 1 California Sea Lion. Reported beached birds to COASST and California Sea Lion to the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Institiute.A COASST beached bird survey was conducted during this CoastWatch mile walk.
Conditions
Temperature: 59 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.2 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 41. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 18. Playing in surf: 3. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 7. Surfing: 4. Other Activities: 6 people riding bikes.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 26.
Notable Wildlife
2 gulls flying
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. 4 Common Murres Juveniles
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. California Sea Lion
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells.
Beach Zones
Boat Ramp
sea grass high and wide wrack zone
sea grass in high wrack zone
clumps of kelp
Tree marking unofficial sand deposition throughout the year
large amounts of kelp scattered all along the mile
90 foot remains of a tree
showing another view of 90 foot tree
south end of mile
Common Murre #2
California Sea Lion
Report Images
MatthewsE
CoastWatcher
All Mile 261 Reports
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
The beach looked great as far as litter, and erosion.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Wonderful sunny day 65. degrees. New construction in the State parking lot at the north end of the mile. Found 1 beached (dead) bird; a Brown Pelican in the high bare zone, middle of the Mile.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
A rather nice day, 55 degrees, clouds and no wind.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Wow what a change from last month! State Parking lot is closed for a couple of months while construction on the new parking lot and restroom continues. The tree ( object I show as a measure of sand deposition ) is really getting uncovered! Survey also for COASST, no beached birds or mammals found. The beach access point at the north end of Bob Straub State Park is still unusable for vehicles, due to a massive erosion event and 5 foot sharp edges to the beach.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
A lot of winter damage to the foredunes noted. Construction workers working on the new boat ramp and replacing and relocating some drainage pipes. Photos showing bulldozer shift sand by residence. 1 dory and 3 fishermen getting picked up
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Weather: Cloudy and Wintery, High tide today 3.
MatthewsE