Mile 288 Report
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
September 1, 2009
On a beautiful late summer day, I found mile 288 to be in full glory.
Report Details
On a beautiful late summer day, I found mile 288 to be in full glory. Human debris was light and nature showed its best side. There was a heavy accumulation of sand and also much seaweed. The sand and seaweed combination resulted in some strange sand formations creating something almost like a lunar scape. I saw three people, two with one dog on a leash (very unusual for the beach)and one person walking alone. There were numerous large prints in the sand indicating the earlier presence of several horses. As noted, Tillamook Bay was alive with birds, especially hundreds of Brown Pelicans.The only uneasy observation was of two men in hunting outfits with bows and arrows. Unfortunately I did not ask if they had been hunting or target shooting. They were coming from the north end of the Bay side of Bayocean Spit.
Conditions
Temperature: 56 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 2.1 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 3. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 3. On the Bay side I saw two fellows in camouflage outfits with bow and arrow gear. I thought to ask if they had been hunting or target shooting, but I didn't. I don't think hunting is allowed so I wonder what they had been doing.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
The Bay side of Bayocean Spit was teeming with birds. Hundreds of Brown Pelicans soared, dove, and congregated in the Bay. Near sunset many more were diving and fishing in the deep surf on the ocean side. As it was low tide, there were dozens of Great Blue Herons and Semi-palmated Plovers feeding off the mud flats. There were also the usual gulls (Western, Glaucous-winged), Caspian terns, Western Sandpipers, and Crows. Other highlights were Cedar Waxwings, Chestnut-backed Chickadees, and one inquisitive Wrentit that came within four feet of me singing to me as I sang back to it. Our "dialogue" went on for several minutes. On a different note, the seaweed accumulations on the beach were larger than I have ever seen. It seemed that seaweed was covering everything and there was much in the surf also. One of the pictures shows this phenomenon.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces.
Report Images
All Mile 288 Reports
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
It was an incredibly busy day for Mile 288 the day before the snowy plover nesting season began! I was glad to see DOGAMI and OPRD on-site, and appreciated OPRD's willingness to haul the debris I collected back to their dumpsters. It was also exciting to see so many plovers in the wet sand.
Karen Schank
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
The weather is definitely turning.
SchankK
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
It was a beautifully calm, warm, sunny day along mile 288.
SchankK
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
There were 6 or more plovers and large accumulations of driftwood (both along the base and on top of the foredune cutbank).
SchankK
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
It was a beautiful, warm, sunny Saturday with a moderate north wind.
SchankK
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
It was great to see two separate families picking up beach trash/debris in the driftline from the most recent storms including in Mile 288!
SchankK
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
There was clear indications of active foredune erosion with visible cutbanks (see photo) and significant debris.
SchankK
Mile 288
Bayocean Peninsula, Kincheloe Point
Mid-winter day that seemed like spring.
YaakovM