Mile 313 Report
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
March 22, 2026
Many curious beach visitors were in town for spring break, with approximately 100 people exploring Haystack Rock this morning.
Report Details
Many curious beach visitors were in town for spring break, with approximately 100 people exploring Haystack Rock this morning. No sign yet of any returning Tufted Puffins, as it is too early in the season for their annual return to the rock. Incredible tidepool diversity at low tide, with large amounts of Ectopleura marina hydroids, and therefore, high relative abundance of nudibranchs on the south side of Haystack Rock in the area near "the Needles". Notable nudibranch species included Horned nudibranch, Fisher's nudibranch, Three-lined nudibranch and Hammerhead doto. It was fascinating to watch the nudibranch feeding on the hydroids. On the north side of Haystack Rock, there were some nice patches of Southern stiff-stiped kelp and Scouler's surfgrass (Phyllospadix scouleri), important habitat for many invertebrates and fish.
Conditions
Temperature: 44 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 1.3 feet.
Activities
Types of Activities: Walking/Running, Biking, Tidepooling.
Number of people: 100. Number of dogs: 15.
Other Activities: Estimated approximately 100 beach visitors to the iconc Haystack Rock sea stack, including some dogs off leash..
Notable Wildlife
Amazing tidepools at low tide this morning with many green sea anemone, ochre sea star, Horned nudibranch, Three-lined nudibranch, Fisher's nudibranch, Hammerhead Doto, Ectopleura marina hydroid, aggregating anemones and California mussels. An adult bald eagle visited Haystack Rock to the dismay of the western gulls. Additional bird species seen include Harlequin ducks, Pigeon guillemots, Brown pelicans and Black oystercatcher.
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Shells, Wood pieces.
Ochre sea stars exposed during low tide.
Haystack Rock reflection at low tide.
Hammerhead Doto in a tidepool.
Horned nudibranch.
Three-lined nudibranchs feeding on Ectopleura marina hydroids.
Three-lined nudibranch using surface tension of water to move upside down in a tidepool.
Report Images
sultanym
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