Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - April 6, 2022

Report Details

A pleasant, partly cloudy spring day. Despite the lovely weather, not many folks out. Not much wildlife activity noted either; few seabirds and gulls present, resident eagles did not make an appearance. Most notable observation was presence of seveal patches of brown algae which turned the surf and sea foam in those areas a dirty, muddy-looking brown color. Attached photos taken on the Bay Ocean spit illustrate the phenomenon but were not taken on mile 287.

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 12. Quiet afternoon; the few folks present were either walking or jogging along the shoreline.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 8.

Notable Wildlife

High seas the previous couple of days had washed up more than usual numbers of sand dollars. There were also several areas where brown algae had accumulated in large quantities, causing the surf and sea foam to have a muddy, brown coloration.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. likely gull; positive identification not possible due to extensive scavenging.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

Report Images

Brown waves being colored by presence of algae

Close up showing brown algae coloration of sea foam and water, along with clumps of algae

Report Images

C Nelson

CoastWatcher

All Mile 287 Reports

Date

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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