Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - July 15, 2010

Report Details

Despite sunny weather, only a handful of people were on walking or picnicing on the beach. The large amount of left behind picnic debris and discharged fireworks casings suggested that the beach had hosted a number of informal 4th of July festivities earlier in the month. It was a delight to spend time observing 4 whimbrels foraging in the incoming tide.The moderately strong NW winds were driving drifts of sand up against the base of previously eroded sand dunes (see attached photo). It will be interesting to see if the erosion I observed previously is substantially reversed over the course of the summer.

Human Activities

Number of people: 6. Walking or running: 2. Sitting: 4. Observed one small nylon tent pitched in dunes at edge of beach. Although unoccupied at time of survey, there was evidence of current use. Found a large amount of picnic debris and a sizeable number of burned out fireworks housings on beach - can only assume the 4th of July fireworks displays must have been substantial!

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 12.

Notable Wildlife

Saw group of 4 whimbrels foraging in drift line of incoming tide.

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, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Very large ship fender (styrofoam encased in orange plastic and rope webbing) noted in driftwood at high tide line

Natural Changes

wind driven sand being piled in large drifts at base of eroded section of dunes

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