Mile 303 Report
Oswald West SP, Smuggler Cove, Short Sand Beach
February 9, 2026
There were two interesting things at Short Sand today. The second interesting thing were small bits of torn foam, like from a seat cushion, on the north end of the beach at the highest wrack line.
Report Details
There were two interesting things at Short Sand today. The first - enormous amounts of cellophane tube worm casings. Piles and piles in the wrack line, across the entire shoreline, except where SS creek comes out, of course. The second interesting thing were small bits of torn foam, like from a seat cushion, on the north end of the beach at the highest wrack line. They were mixed in with the worm casings. It was odd, which is why I'm submitting the report. Could have washed in or it could have been torn by a person or an animal, regardless, I collected all I found and disposed of them. There was not a large amount of plastic on the beach, otherwise. Just some ropes which were also disposed of.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 2.2 feet.
Activities
Other Activities: A very quiet Monday. Only about 15 people and 2 dogs spotted in the 1.5 hours I was hanging out on the beach..
Torn Foam
Report Images
Michelle M Schwegmann
CoastWatcher
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Mile 303
Oswald West SP, Smuggler Cove, Short Sand Beach
There were two interesting things at Short Sand today. The second interesting thing were small bits of torn foam, like from a seat cushion, on the north end of the beach at the highest wrack line.
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Oswald West SP, Smuggler Cove, Short Sand Beach
This morning CoastWatch hosted an educational walk with Stewart Schultz - 18 people were a part of the walk, but others joined as the session went on (for about 3 hours).
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Oswald West SP, Smuggler Cove, Short Sand Beach
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Oswald West SP, Smuggler Cove, Short Sand Beach
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