Mile 317 Report
Indian Beach, Canyon Creek, Indian Point
July 27, 2010
Chilly summer day at the beach.
Report Details
Chilly summer day at the beach. Very busy for a Tuesday, but that's the summer for you. The majority of cars were from Oregon and British Columbia. A lot of surfers, and even one kayaker, despite the cold. Some large cracks in the soil/dunes were seen (as photographed), and erosion continues to be a problem. Again, my biggest concern is just if people are building and managing fires responsibly.
Conditions
Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Moderate.
Human Activities
Number of people: 132. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 17. Playing in surf: 9. Playing in sand: 7. Sitting: 80. Photography: 2. Surfing: 16. Kayaking: 1. Mostly, people just enjoying sitting by the beach on a chilly summer day. As always, the more people, the more litter seen. My biggest concern were 3 recent fires where they were burning large driftwood very near vegetation; the strong stench of human urine was also smelled near these fires.
Concerns
Fire, Litter
Apparent violations: 3 fires with large burnt driftwood very near vegetation line.Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
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.
Natural Changes
Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.
Report Images
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