Mile 313 Report
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
March 12, 2026
It was a rainy day at Haystack Rock, but that did not deter visitors.
Report Details
It was a rainy day at Haystack Rock, but that did not deter visitors. Over several hours there were more than 100 people even though the tide was not low enough for tidepooling. Everyone was asking about the velella velella and the pelagic gooseneck barnacles that are on the logs, and wondering if the Puffins are here already. It's a spring break week for Utah & Arizona, so lots of students from those states. Families visiting, retirees from WA state, locals walking the beach. Many folks interested in birds, too.
Conditions
Temperature: 49 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.
Activities
Number of people: 15. Number of dogs: 2.
Other Activities: getting a picture of themselves at Haystack Rock..
Notable Wildlife
Lots of WEGU. A couple of PECO, two BAEA, one Belted Kingfisher (who has been hanging out at Haystack since October 2025. Also BLOY, BLTU, HADU and a few BRPE (about 5) passed by flying north.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Unusual concentration. SO MANY VELELLA! They began washing up on 3/6/26 and have continued to get dumped in the wrack line with each high tide. Some very large driftwood logs have washed in, covered with pelagic gooseneck barnacles, too.
Wrackline Content
Velella by the million.
Velella on the beach looking north from Haystack Rock.
Velella looking south from Haystack Rock.
Pelagic goosenecks barnacles on a driftwood log.
HRAP staff checking out the barnacle covered log.
Report Images
Michelle Schwegmann
CoastWatcher
All Mile 313 Reports
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
Many curious beach visitors were in town for spring break, with approximately 100 people exploring Haystack Rock this morning.
sultanym
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
It was a rainy day at Haystack Rock, but that did not deter visitors.
Michelle Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
We went to mile 313 at high tide on a sunny, cold and windless day in the winter!
Alex Engelhardt
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
A sunny day on mile 313.
Michelle M Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
A deceased WEFU Western Fulmar found high in the wrack line after recent storms. Tons of marine debris, driftwood logs, fishing gear, etc.
Michelle Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
A Cassin's Auklet was in the wrack line at Haystack Rock. There was a beach hazards warning for high surf and sneaker waves, which were definitely happening!
Michelle Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
An early morning walk to Haystack Rock was mostly foggy and overcast, with a brief clearing in the weather mid-morning.
sultanym
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
Overall, Haystack Rock is a treasure trove of marine biological diversity, from invertebrates and pelagic birds to marine mammals, with an active education program for curious beach visitors. The best tidepool invertebrate diversity today was observed at the south end of Haystack Rock in the area often referred to as "The Needles. As I was tidepooling, I heard multiple beach visitors asking about sea slugs and how to locate nudibranchs.
sultanym