Mile 289 - Kincheloe Point, South Jetty Tillamook River - September 20, 2021

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This mile is not surveyed 4 times a year since it became a designated bird nesting area. I decided to skip the others since our dog enjoys surveys far more than we do.

Conditions

Temperature: 62 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.

Human Activities

Walked on bay side of spit to the jetty. I passed 8 people and 4 were on bikes. There were no people on the beach at the end of the spit. (Mile 289)

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 8.

Notable Wildlife

pelicans and gulls were swarming on baitfish in the channel east of the Coast Guard tower.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 6. 3 cormorants 2 gulls, 1sooty shearwater,

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). most of the human garbage was plastic, lids, containers, and bags/sheets. I saw no glass containers

New Development

none

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.

Actions & Comments

Over the winter months, there was unusually high erosion of the foredunes along Bayocean Spit. I could see remnants of this erosion on the south end of 289. There was no evidence of foredune erosion nearer the jetty. I did not survey in winter and spring due to bird nesting restrictions.

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At the jetty, People, but not dogs or bikes can walk around the markers and continue southward in the wet sand area.

Dogs even leashed are prohibited as well as bikes, kites, and vehicles.

The entire spit had considerably more dune erosion over the previous winter. There is still evidence at the south end of 289

The nesting restriction area extended to the end of Mile 289 this year. Last year and at least 1 earlier had it end a kilometer from the jetty. (.6 of a mile)