February 24, 2007

Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Number of people: 10. Walking or running: 10. Photography: 3. Other Activities: people just strolling - talking. People who came upon the beached sea lion over the days it was there read the signs and treated it with respect - they were curious. And glad to know it was monitored.There are usually bigger plastic pieces in mile 299. Small pieces come in on Mile 300 and toward Neahkahnie Mountain.The access to drive on Manzanita Beach (at Mile 300) north to Neahkahnie Mt is right next to our mile start. Hardly anyone ever drives on the beach. A few people have permits to harvest driftwood logs.

We've had 5 beached sea lions on Manzanita Beach since Oct. Those are all we happen to know about.

Total dead birds: 1. (just feathers) not identified

Total stranded mammals: 1. California sea lion - beached then died

quite a few razor clams shells

Seaweeds and seagrass, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. pieces of rope, a few balloons, plastic H2O bottles.

Dunes on half of mile were "stabilized" 10 - 15 years ago. Seems to be holding.

Sand dune area seems to have survived winter storms ok.

This was our first mile walk since returning from Mexico. Right near 299/300 mile we came upon a beached Calif sea lion (young male). We called Seaside Aquarium (Keith and Tiffany) and Tiffany came over to photograph and measure him. We had put up signs for public. He died 2 or 3 days later. They were going to come over to do a necropsy before the state park authorized the city to bury it. (City has equipment.) City, State Park, Sea Mammal Rescue and Coast Watch (us) all worked together.