Mile 324 Report
Seaside north
July 29, 2023
New flock of Brown Pelicans at mouth of estuary along with some Canada Geese, seagulls and Caspian Terns were disturbed several times before relocating to sandbar surrounded by water;Snowy Plover disturbed on island between Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek by two people tidepooling;Tour Helicopter flew over five separate times twice low enough (though probably not illegal) to disturb two Bald Eagles and two Osprey hunting in estuary;Small structure built of driftwood still on the Necanicum Spit being used as shelter;
Report Details
New flock of Brown Pelicans at mouth of estuary along with some Canada Geese, seagulls and Caspian Terns were disturbed several times before relocating to sandbar surrounded by water;Snowy Plover disturbed on island between Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek by two people tidepooling;Tour Helicopter flew over five separate times twice low enough (though probably not illegal) to disturb two Bald Eagles and two Osprey hunting in estuary;Small structure built of driftwood still on the Necanicum Spit being used as shelter;
Conditions
Temperature: 67 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 1.3 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 500. Walking or running: 50. Playing in surf: 75. Playing in sand: 25. Sitting: 400. Tidepooling: 2. Surfing: 4. Other Activities: Kites,. Two people on rocky shoreline of the “island” between the Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek disturbed a male Snowy Plover who responded in a manner consistent with a bird protecting chicks. Drinking alcohol, motorized bikes on wet sand and the Prom; evidence of recent fireworks on dry sand near the dunes, also heard fireworks from home last night (near Prom at 8th Ave)
Concerns
Fire, Litter
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs, Disturbance of nesting seabirds
Vehicles
Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 2.
Notable Wildlife
Western snowy plover
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Burnt wood from fires taken by the tides. Skate/shark egg cases
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling. Paths from bluffs at north end of beach show continued erosion from human activities from walking down established paths and from digging in cliff face.
Actions & Comments
Nothing actionable.
Common debris
Snowy Plover in shrinking sandbar
Tillamook Head from dunes at 8th Ave
Looking North from edge of dunes off 8th Ave
Burnt wood from fires taken by the tide
Skate egg case
Flock, including Brown Pelicans, Caspian Terns and seagulls take flight
Helicopter Tours disturb seabirds and raptors
Bluffs continue to erode in part due to human activity
Bluffs continue to erode in part due to human activity
Report Images
SeagerG
CoastWatcher
All Mile 324 Reports
Mile 324
Seaside north
People enjoying the beach, nesting Snowy Plovers in distress, Juvenile Brown Pelicans learn about dogs;
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Lots of birds observed: Osprey - 2 fishing at mouth of estuary; one adult and one juvenile Adult Bald Eagle resting on north end of Necanicum SpitSnowy Plover flying around estuary island acting distressed with a loose Jack Russel Terrier in the vicinity of Nest 7A
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Mile 324
Seaside north
New flock of Brown Pelicans at mouth of estuary along with some Canada Geese, seagulls and Caspian Terns were disturbed several times before relocating to sandbar surrounded by water;Snowy Plover disturbed on island between Necanicum River and Neawanna Creek by two people tidepooling;Tour Helicopter flew over five separate times twice low enough (though probably not illegal) to disturb two Bald Eagles and two Osprey hunting in estuary;Small structure built of driftwood still on the Necanicum Spit being used as shelter;
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We saw lots of dead crabs, some kelp and algae on the surfline, and some driftwood.
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My morning walk began gloriously with the sun peaking through the clouds and chirping birds flitting through the dune grasses.
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Two Snowy Plovers seen with eggs at nests within protected sites.
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Beautiful clear day, moderate amount of human activity; two Snowy Plovers seen in newly designated protected areas exhibiting nesting behavior; one harbor seal pup on the rocks of the Necanicum Inlet Island; numerous seagulls and terns along with a few cormoronts; The amount of fireworks debris, burned logs, and styrofoam at the waterline is disheartening.
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