Mile 289 - Kincheloe Point, South Jetty Tillamook River - December 26, 2014

Report Details

There is a major die off (wreck) of Cassin's Auklets going on now. We found 126 on Mile 289. We do COASST surveys on Mile 286, and neighbors warned us of a huge number of small birds washing in a few days ago. On the way to 289, we did a quick count on 286. There were 121 on 286. It will take hours and hours to tag and photograph all those according to the COASST protocols.I googled Cassin's Auklet Die Off. There were many hits. Here is one from Sonoma, CA, http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/3145997-181/large-scale-die-off-of-sma...'s a major event, but it appears to the COASST people to be limited to breeding success. The Cal people have a different take.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 7.3 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 2. Other Activities: 3 on horseback. We did not leave from the primary parking area on the spit. We made the long walk from the Cape Meares community.

Concerns

Fire

Apparent violations: small fire left burning at jetty. Not a major problem in Dec..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

shorebirds in the wrack area.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 132. 126 Cassin's Auklets, 2 Western Grebes, 2 Northern Fulmars, 1 Common Murre, and 1 Rhinoceros Auklet

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.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Pineapple Express event provided a west wind that filled the beach with debris and dead birds.

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

No erosion