Mile 286 Report
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
December 18, 2023
Cloudy day with occasional rain shower.
Report Details
Cloudy day with occasional rain shower. Wind SE 8mph. Very little human activity evident. One walker only. Only 2 vehicles in parking area. Little to no beach debris/garbage. Of note the dead birds with red spots painted (unsure of significance). No birds were banded. Interesting to see shark egg casings and a dead eel (well decomposed)
Conditions
Temperature: 53 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.6 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 1. One dog walker. Dog off leash but not bothering birds.
Notable Wildlife
Flock of gulls (approximately 20 birds) at water's edge foraging. No other birds. 2 shark egg case (see photo)
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. 4 dead birds noted all within small area. 45.51510 N 123.95561 W Of note all had red spots painted on edges of wings, around legs and on beak (see photos)
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
2 shark eggs (see photo) Dead eel (I think) see photo
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Shells, Wood pieces. Beach scoured from recent storm and high tides. Large driftwood pieces now uncovered (previously semi buried in sand)
Natural Changes
High tide reached dune edges again. No evidence of overtopping on my mile stretch
Report Images
Helen Welch
CoastWatcher
All Mile 286 Reports
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Beautiful walk today on an all but deserted Oregon beach. Eels grass still present but again smaller amounts than over the summer months. Recently deceased seal washed up close to high tide line
Helen Welch
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Quiet day on the beach following 2 very high 8. 2 dogs off leash not near wildlife Significant decrease in amount of eel grass likely due to scouring from high tide Fishing boat debris in dune line Noticing a lot more Sea Rocket at edge of dune grass.
Helen Welch
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Beautiful early fall Oregon coast day. Copious amounts eel grass in clumps (see photos) especially at north end of beach Subjectively more "sea rocket" at dune line Large flock sanderlings (>50) dancing between seas edge and high tide line 2 pelicans
Helen Welch
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Warm windy day on Oregon coast. Area of beach cordoned off from dunes to 45. Unable to follow high tide line for whole mile due to this. Seal carcass providing food for juvenile bad eagle and scavengers Pacific Sea Nettle jelly fish noted
Helen Welch
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Beautiful Oregon coast bluebird day. Large wash up of old velella casings at high tide line creating a very strong "ocean" odor Very little trash on my mile of beach but collections of bottles and styrofoam found further down closer to Cape Meares (collected and disposed of) Few sea birds today
Helen Welch
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Recent king tides encroaching onto and undercutting fore dune. More debris than usual. A few shore birds Little human activity Large "octopus tree" I have been following has rotated again and the trunk now points NE. I continue to take photo facing N and S at the high tide line at the MP 29 sign entrance to the beach
Helen Welch
Mile 286
Bayocean Peninsula south of Bayocean site
Busier day than seen in past few months.
Helen Welch