Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - February 4, 2021

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A quiet afternoon on a cool, cloudy, damp winter day. Only 2 other folks were visiting and they did not stay long. The most notable observation was the extent of the erosion of the vegetated foredune and how far inland driftwood had been deposited during this winter's storms. I regret not having been able to see the surf in action - it had to have been incredibly powerful! It was a delight to see a convocation of 9 bald eagles on the beach - the largest number of bald eagles I've seen during any of my visits.

Conditions

Temperature: 47 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 1.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Walking or running: 4. The afternoon was cool, cloudy, and misty enough that there weren't many visitors and folks that did come did not linger long on the beach.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5.

Notable Wildlife

Observed a convocation of 9 bald eagles (4 adults, 5 juveniles) resting on the sand and just above the beach at the north end of the mile.

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.). Noted a couple of large moon jellyfish in the driftline.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. As reported last summer, a private landowner with property adjoining the middle section of the mile has erected a large flagpole at the top of the foredune. Photo attached.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping. While I was not able to visit mile 287 during this winter's king tides, the extent of the erosion caused by the high water was dramatic, as was evidence of wave overtopping and driftwood deposited deep into the foredune. Photo attached.

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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