Mile 289 - Kincheloe Point, South Jetty Tillamook River - March 21, 2016

Report Details

The smell of the rotting velella was the most noticeable thing on this survey. They had arrived earlier and were now covered with blowing sand. The sand had a darkish color in the patches of heavy concentrations. The weather was blustery and there were no other people within miles. Even the birds were scarce. The big winter swells did erode into the newer formed vegetated dunes. But erosion is not an issue. Earlier west winds brought lots of ocean based debris onto the beach. Some group had already collected most of it.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Cool, blustery day with frequent rain/hail showers kept spring break visitors enjoying the coast from drier locales.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Notable lack of birds. None approaching the jetty and only a handful of gulls flying near the jetty. A couple of bald eagles were circling high above the jetty.

Beached Birds

Species/names: On a more thorough COASST survey a week earlier on Mile 286, no birds were found. It is fairly rare to find zero birds on a Bayocean Spit survey.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Velella velella. Very large deposits of purplish goo. Most of it was covered with blowing sand.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt).

New Development

none

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. Noted this in Dec also. Mile 289 had little erosion in previous years.