Mile 261 Report
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
October 4, 2015
The weather was ideal for visiting Pacific City beaches as the many family activities seen today did show.
Report Details
The weather was ideal for visiting Pacific City beaches as the many family activities seen today did show.This beach was devoid of any small sticks and woody debris as should be normally found. The only wood left are very large logs both on beach surfaces and partly buried. Many of these driftwood pieces have been used for beach fires one or more times.having found only two small pieces of trash from humans was a surprise with the large number of people recreating here.
Human Activities
Number of people: 100. Number of dogs: 10. Walking or running: 6. Playing in surf: 15. Playing in sand: 20. Sitting: 20. Photography: 7. Surfing: 35. Talking with U.S. Fish & Wildlife officer in official vehicle left me with the impression he would not have confronted people in violator vehicles had I not questioned him. I did direct him to the signs marking the NO VEHICLES area of this beach. He approached only one of the 4 violator vehicles.His tone gave me no confidence as he stated the local authorities do not enforce the "Prohibited Vehicles" area of Pacific City beaches.
Concerns
Apparent violations: Vehicles in Prohibited areas with no enforcement.
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 60. RVs/Buses parking: 8. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 60. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 4.
Notable Wildlife
small numbers of common gulls observed This mile showed little sign of any seaweed on the beach or in driftlines.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 2. Due to bad decomposition conditions, my guess is that the carcasses were common murres. They appeared to have been on beach for quite some time.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
carcass of a four foot seal looked to be beached with the last high tide. A severe head injury seemed the only bodily injury. Photo attached.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Small rocks. No seaweed, kelp or sticks are seen in driftline for the northern 755% of mile 261, perhaps due to the intense human activities
Man-made Modifications
None
Natural Changes
Sand deposits have formed a bench 6 to 8 feet above this morning's high tide line. No evidence to know how new this bench may be.
Actions & Comments
None
Report Images
BeachcomberJim
CoastWatcher
All Mile 261 Reports
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
Nice sunny 55 degree day, calm if any winds.
Eric Matthews
Mile 261
Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda
66 degrees, sunny, calm wind. 4 beached birds found.
Eric Matthews
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