Mile 317 Report
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
February 21, 2010
Just a typical beautiful and warm weekend day at the beach.
Report Details
Just a typical beautiful and warm weekend day at the beach. One of the first warmer days of the season, and many people were out to enjoy the coast. The northern, rugged part of the mile had no apparent changes. Indian beach was crowded, but not very polluted--there was a recent beach clean-up by SOLV 3/20/10.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.
Human Activities
Number of people: 117. Number of dogs: 10. Walking or running: 35. Playing in surf: 7. Playing in sand: 25. Sitting: 40. Photography: 5. Surfing: 3. Other Activities: flying kites: 2. No violations noticed. Generally, families and individuals were just out enjoying a beautiful early spring day. One surfer was seen being carried far out from shore; not sure if this was intentional or not. A lot less litter than expected for a busy beach day.
Concerns
Litter
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 76.
Notable Wildlife
Just the typical seagulls, murres, etc.
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.
Actions & Comments
No actions necessary; this is a very popular and well-observed section of the coast. Most often, situations are taken care of before I am even aware of them.
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