Mile 317 Report
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
May 11, 2024
In terms of biota, a morning walk at Indian Beach during an out-going low tide revealed some fascinating rocky intertidal pools at the northern end of the beach near large rocky outcroppings with ochre sea star, giant green anemone, striped shore crab, thatched barnacle, Haliclona sponge, eccentric sand dollar, gooseneck barnacles, southern stiff-stiped kelp, as well as 2 types of nudibranch, or sea slugs: Aeolidia (Shaggy Mouse) & Acanthodoris nanaimoensis (Nanaimo Dorid). In terms of beach topography and geography, Indian Beach has a significant wood zone, as well as rocky basalt cobbles, and multiple streams that lead to the ocean. A large wooden pallet was seen washed up on the beach on the basalt cobbles near a small stream.
Report Details
In terms of biota, a morning walk at Indian Beach during an out-going low tide revealed some fascinating rocky intertidal pools at the northern end of the beach near large rocky outcroppings with ochre sea star, giant green anemone, striped shore crab, thatched barnacle, Haliclona sponge, eccentric sand dollar, gooseneck barnacles, southern stiff-stiped kelp, as well as 2 types of nudibranch, or sea slugs: Aeolidia (Shaggy Mouse) & Acanthodoris nanaimoensis (Nanaimo Dorid). The tidepools at the southern end of this beach were not accessible south of Submarine rock due to the tidal cycle and time of year. I observed and photographed 2 spotted sandpipers catching and eating flies around the tidepools at the northern end of the beach. I am interested in seeing how the tidepool access changes with the season at this site. In terms of beach topography and geography, Indian Beach has a significant wood zone, as well as rocky basalt cobbles, and multiple streams that lead to the ocean. The wrack line on the sandy beach was mostly clean from marine debris, consisting of shells and seaweed. Multiple basalt cobbles had quartz veins and I found a few quartz stones in the streams leading to the ocean. A large wooden pallet was seen washed up on the beach on the basalt cobbles near a small stream. Plastic debris observed on the basalt cobbles included both a shotgun wad and shell from duck hunters. Multiple brands of shotgun shells advertise products that are bright red in color. Most of the marine debris found was located farther up the beach on the rocky cobbles and at the foot of the basalt cliffs on the northern end of the beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 1.2 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 30. Walking or running: 5. Sitting: 14. Surfing: 11.
Notable Wildlife
Notable birds seen at Indian Beach include 2 Spotted Sandpiper, 3 Rufous Hummingbird, 1 Black Oystercatcher, 12 Pigeon Guillemot, 28 Brown Pelican, and 9 Pelagic Cormorant. Spotted Sandpipers were catching flies around the tidepools. An out-going low tide revealed some fascinating rocky intertidal pools at the northern end of the beach near large rocky outcroppings with ochre sea star, giant green anemone, striped shore crab, thatched barnacle, Haliclona sponge, eccentric sand dollar, gooseneck barnacles, southern stiff-stiped kelp, as well as 2 types of nudibranch, or sea slugs: Aeolidia (Shaggy Mouse) & Acanthodoris nanaimoensis (Nanaimo Dorid).
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells. This beach has a significant wood zone, as well as rocky basalt cobbles, and multiple streams that lead to the ocean. The wrack line on the sandy beach was mostly clean from marine debris, consisting of shells and seaweed. Plastic debris observed on the basalt cobbles included both a shotgun wad and shell from duck hunters. Multiple brands of shotgun shells advertise products that are bright red in color. Most of the marine debris found was located farther up the beach on the rocky cobbles and at the foot of the basalt cliffs on the northern end of the beach.
Report Images
sultanym
CoastWatcher
All Mile 317 Reports
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
An early morning walk on this mile revealed evidence in the wrackline of the previous week's stormy June weather (wind and rain) with many creatures, algae and hydroids, washed up.
sultanym
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
In terms of biota, a morning walk at Indian Beach during an out-going low tide revealed some fascinating rocky intertidal pools at the northern end of the beach near large rocky outcroppings with ochre sea star, giant green anemone, striped shore crab, thatched barnacle, Haliclona sponge, eccentric sand dollar, gooseneck barnacles, southern stiff-stiped kelp, as well as 2 types of nudibranch, or sea slugs: Aeolidia (Shaggy Mouse) & Acanthodoris nanaimoensis (Nanaimo Dorid). In terms of beach topography and geography, Indian Beach has a significant wood zone, as well as rocky basalt cobbles, and multiple streams that lead to the ocean. A large wooden pallet was seen washed up on the beach on the basalt cobbles near a small stream.
sultanym
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
Collected 4 Ikea bags of debris from beach just north of Indian Beach, mostly fishing gear, single use plastics, and golf balls.
DeniseH
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
Black Oystercatchers are currently raising three chicks on Submarine Rock and birds' behavior was noted to change due to tidepoolers.
SeagerG
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
A drone hovered very close to the Black Oystercatcher nesting site on Submarine Rock for nearly 15 minutes (definitely affecting the behavior of both parents and chicks) and nearly hit a juvenile Bald Eagle;The Steller pup was in a high traffic area and even with relocation of the sign from the Seaside Aquarium, people either couldn't see him, or still wanted to get close to take photos.
SeagerG
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
An endangered Stellar sea lion pup has been continually harassed by visitors and dogs for several days, and the same behavior continued today.
tabeag
Mile 317
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
I'm wondering if better protection can be put in place for endangered seal and sea lion pups.
SeagerG