December 14, 2007

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 6.1 feet.

Number of people: 1. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 1. Noted 300+ Least Sandpiper, mostly huddled in groups, facing into wind. Unusual in that the birds were mostly not moving at all. Birds may have been huddled because it was right at high tide and opportunities to hunt for food may have been limited at that time.

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

One Pacific Loon, several Western Gull, already noted 300+ Least Sandpiper, mixed flock of 30 or more Western Sandpiper and Sanderling, 9 Great Blue Heron standing in surf near water's edge on beach. Herons may have been at the ocean rather than bay because of very high tide.

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Small rocks, Wood pieces.

Beach was cleaner than usual in terms of human debris, but there was much more driftwood. Strewn lightly and evenly all along the high tide line were small to medium size pieces of driftwood. Closer to water's edge were several very large logs or pieces of logs. Human debris was limited to some plastic items, rope pieces, and one oddly located baby bottle.