Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - June 3, 2020

Report Details

A joy to be able to return to the beach!! This was first time I was able to visit Mile 287 after Covid-19 restrictions had closed beach access in Tillamook County for almost 3 months. I was surprised by how quickly the beach approach paths had become overgrown due to the absence of visitors. Even though the spring beach clean-up had been cancelled, the beach was remarkably clean. It was a delight to see four bald eagles soaring over the foredune on northern section of the mile, and fun to watch whimbrels foraging in the surf. All in all, a lovely day with nothing untoward to report.

Conditions

Temperature: 62 F. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 12. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 10. Playing in sand: 2. There were two pickups with horse trailers in parking area, but no riders observed on mile 287.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 14.

Notable Wildlife

Four bald eagles soaring together over foredune; a group of 12-15 whimbrels foraging in tide line.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. Remarkably clean beach, virtually no human-caused trash, either land-based or ocean-based.

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