Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - April 1, 2017

Report Details

A misty, damp SOLVE beach clean-up day. Very few folks were visiting - other than us, there were only two other people on the beach, and we didn't see any other SOLVE volunteers. Winter storms had deposited large quantities of ocean-based debris high in the tideline, as well as in and behind the foredune where wave overtopping had occurred. Observed larger quantities of smaller pieces of plastic than have been noted in the past; debris looked very weathered and appeared to have been at sea for a long time before breaking up and coming ashore. Notably, we saw a dead dolphin on the beach - a first, as we've never seen evidence of dolphins off Bay Ocean spit in the past. Our clean-up efforts were observed by 3 bald eagles, which appeared to be keeping close watch on the dolphin carcass. One eagle was perched on a snag near the dolphin and allowed us to get very close to it before flying off - it was the closest I've ever been to an eagle! Also notable was the very large quantity of immature velella that had been stranded in the driftline. Overall, an interesting and satisfying beach clean-up day.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 0.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 4. Other Activities: SOLVE spring beach clean-up day; 2 people were picking up trash.. Probably due to the rainy weather, we observed the fewest number of folks we've ever seen on our mile during our visits. There were also fewer SOLVE volunteers picking up debris on the spit for the spring beach clean-up - we were the only volunteers we were aware of. Tillamook Fire Department drove a pick-up with trailer on beach in the early afternoon to pick up trash bags and debris piles left along Bay Ocean spit by SOLVE volunteers.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. dead dolphin (bottlenose?); located at GPS coordinates 45 32' 10" N, 123 57' 07" W. Carcass was Being scavenged by sea birds and bald eagles.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Large quantities of smaller pieces of ocean-based plastic and Styrofoam debris of all types. Also very large quantities of very small/immature velella velella noted in driftline.

New Development

Private lot adjoining beach at mile 287 has been listed for sale; large for sale sign posted on Bay side entry to lot.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping. Evidence of considerable wave overtopping and erosion of foredune at northern end of mile. Sand deposition has been significant enough to completely fill in previously eroded areas on southern end of mile.

Report Images

C Nelson

CoastWatcher

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Mile 287

Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2

March 17, 2024

The cloudy marine layer that was present when we first arrived eventually burned off, providing us with a pleasant but breezy sunny afternoon for our visit. 1) We encountered an intact hull of a fiberglass boat on the mid-section of the mile; photos and location information was provided to the State Park Ranger so it could be retrieved from the beach. 2) There had been a massive influx of velella velella (by-the-wind sailors) washed ashore several days before our visit. 3) Given the number of folks in the parking area when we arrived, we had expected to see more folks on mile 287 but encountered just a typical number of visitors. 4) There was more detritus on the beach than we've seen in recent previous visits.

C NELSON