Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - January 14, 2012

Report Details

A very wintery, blustery day on the spit - few people out braving the less than ideal conditions at the beach. Noted far more beached pacific sea nettle jellyfish in driftline than have seen before, no doubt due to high winds and stormy seas in previous week. Sand continues to build up on the beach; the driftwood stump being used for reference as evidence of sand levels has now been almost completely buried. The structure erected on the foredune at the midpoint of the mile, along with adjacent developments first noted last fall, are still in place and being extended.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 2. Structure on foredune at midpoint of mile (noted first in October, 2011) still in place, evidence of continued development at site.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Unusually large number of razor clam shells and beached pacific sea nettle jellyfish in driftline.

Driftline Content

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

New Development

Bluff development, Steps down bluff.

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. originally noted in fall, 2011

Natural Changes

Of note, considerable sand accretion over past year (driftwood stump being used as reference now barely visible).

Actions & Comments

Evidence of continued development of site adjacent to foredune that was first noted in October, 2011. Wooden structure on foredune still in place. Stairs and trail show evidence of considerable use, with further sand erosion and vegetation removal on ocean side. Picnic site has been expanded, woodstove and firepit have been added. Goat pen complete with goats still present.No action taken due to uncertainty about how much activity can be legally undertaken by owner of private parcels of land on spit.

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