Mile 317 Report
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
April 20, 2009
Warm, sunny Monday at Indian beach after a nice weekend.
Report Details
Warm, sunny Monday at Indian beach after a nice weekend. 35 people and 33 cars on the beach at 12pm, increasing to 65 people and 50 cars by 2pm. Two fisherman and 3 surfers--the rest were either lying in the sun or playing in the surf/sand. Many seagulls hovering around human activity. The warm weekend before brought a LOT of leftover picnic debris to the beach (wine/liquor/beer bottles galore, etc). and even human feces near rock boulders at the start of mile 316. Three large sections of a dock, painted bright blue, were found strewn across the beach. Shoreline fire was found, with buried beer bottles around it. Excessive, repulsive amount of litter. No dead wildlife or unusual driftline. Evidence of erosion in bluffs.
Conditions
Cloud Cover: Foggy.
Human Activities
Number of people: 65. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 14. Playing in surf: 5. Playing in sand: 21. Sitting: 20. Surfing: 3. Fishing: 2. Fire close to shoreline, still smoking. Buried beer bottles next to fire--obvious recent activity. After the warm weekend, there were MANY empty wine, liquor, and beer bottles--the most I have ever picked up. Human feces located near rocks, with tissue lying on top of it.
Concerns
Fire, Litter, People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas
Apparent violations: fire close to shoreline.Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 50.
Notable Wildlife
Many seagulls, very close to humans and not easily disturbed.
Beached Birds
No dead birds, just a lot of feathers.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Wooden dock sections
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.
Report Images
Pillzy
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
