Mile 294 - Manhattan Beach, State Wayside - 01/16/2024 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

Entered the beach from Manhattan State Park and walked south. Most of the trash, marine debris and dead birds ( primarily Cassin’s auklets) were noted in the zone nearer to the river; otherwise the beach was fairly clean. Crows and gulls were congregating on both sides of the river. The only “unexpected” dead bird was a Western Grebe at the shoreline near the south end of the mile. On the south side of the river there was an odor similar to the water treatment plant.

Conditions

Temperature: 42 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 7. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 7. Other Activities: One woman was collecting trash. Another person may have been cutting/collecting wood - see photo. He departed into the grass toward the road as I moved in his direction.

Concerns

Driftwood removal

Apparent violations: Evidence of wood cutting/collection - see photo.

Notable Wildlife

Crows - 30+ Pacific wren - 1 Seagulls (var) - 25

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 10. No leg bands noted. Cassin’s auklets - 9 Western Grebe - 1

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Label for frozen bait still intact - see photo. Similar label less legible. Boats are currently fishing offshore. A few photos of debris included.

New Development

Steps down bluff, Bluff development, Drainage pipes. I can’t speak to what is new as this is my first observation, but I saw new steps down the bluff, drainage pipes coming out of the bluff, and general erosion up the bluff paths. Also observed what appears to be fabric, maybe as a barrier under the boulders. See photo

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Erosion of vegetated foredune. I don’t know what is “new” but I included some photos of erosion