Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - July 4, 2023

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An absolutely gorgeous summer day -- warm, clear, sunny, light breeze. There had been considerable sand accretion since my last visit; all the eroded foredune areas had been filled back in and there were small dune-like undulations forming in front of the foredune. The beach was remarkably free of debris and there was very little wildlife in evidence. Other than a single osprey and a handful of brown pelicans, we didn't see any other birdlife. There were also fewer cars in the parking lot and fewer folks on the beach than I had expected for a holiday, and none of them had dogs accompanying them (a first!). Of note, the driftline was full of Aequorea water jellyfish, which I've not encountered here before. I had the pleasure of meeting Simon, the Oregon State Parks ranger, when he was patrolling the spit in his pickup during our visit. I much appreciate the Parks Dept efforts in monitoring our beaches!

Conditions

Temperature: 67 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 14. Walking or running: 8. Playing in surf: 2. Sitting: 2. Other Activities: 2 folks were bicycling. Unusual not to see any dogs accompanying people on the beach.. Given that it was the 4th of July holiday and gorgeous summer weather, I had expected to see more folks on the beach. Instead, there was about the same number that we have seen on any other visit. Of note, Simon, an Oregon State Parks ranger, drove his pickup along the spit during our visit and we were able to introduce ourselves.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 26.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces.

Natural Changes

Considerable sand accretion since our last visit in April - foredune erosion has been completely filled back in.

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Summer sand accretion and small dune formation.

Aequorea water jelly in tideline.

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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