September 5, 2009

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 1.2 feet.

Number of people: 146. Number of dogs: 20. Walking or running: 80. Playing in surf: 10. Playing in sand: 10. Sitting: 40. Surfing: 4. Windsurfing: 2. Many long paths of horse droppings along the driftline. Obviously from more than one horse. I don't know if the horse-riding companies are still operational down here, but someone's obviously not picking up after their horses along the way. Perhaps we can extend the "pick up after your dogs" signs with a horse reminder as well?

A few dozen brown pelicans noted fishing about 100 yards offshore. Surprisingly few gulls or other birds on the shore for a sunny warm day. Perhaps the Labor Day crowd is keeping them away. Two groups of cormorants flew overhead -- maybe 30 altogether.

Total dead birds: 1. 1 dead gull. No sign of entanglement or being run over.

None

1 dead fish about the size of a sardine. A salmon smolt maybe?

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Large logs (3 feet wide, 20 feet long) noted in the surf with several boards nailed to them. Perhaps part of a washed away dock

Nothing new noted. This place is smothered in European beachgrass already though.

Overall, people treat the beach pretty well here. No noticeable accumulations of trash, even with the holiday crowd. The large logs in the surf pose a safety hazard, but it appears everyone is smart enough to stay away from them. As I recall, the horseback riding along the beach is under some sort of legal revisit/review? I wouldn't mind them as long as they keep their speed to a safe level (which they do) and they picked up after themselves (which they don't).