Mile 324 Report
Seaside north
May 5, 2021
The tide was very low this morning and there was a lot of beach.
Report Details
The tide was very low this morning and there was a lot of beach. I didn't find any marine debris/litter, the beach was in a gorgeous natural state. I wonder if there has been a clean up recently? The tsunami siren test happened promptly at 11:00 am. Today was a great bird watching day! I saw Canada geese, a flock of terns, adult and juvenile seagulls, whimbrels, mergansers, and killdeer. There weren't a lot of people/dogs out. Peaceful beach walk with the sun showing itself now and then.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 1.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 24. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 12. Playing in surf: 1. Sitting: 10. Photography: 1.
Concerns
Fire
Apparent violations: Large wood debris with burn marks, lots of evidence of bonfires in the dunes.Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
50 -60 tern in a flock hanging out on the sand near the estuary, 9 whimbrel foraging in the sand flats, a pair of Canada geese flying low over the beach and landed in the sand, a handful of adult and juvenile seagulls, killdeer in the dunes and another small brown bird that I didn't identify, three merganser swimming and diving in the Necanicum estuary.
Driftline Content
Shells, Wood pieces. The beach was very natural today! I didn't see any litter. It was so clean that I wonder if there has been a beach clean up recently.
Natural Changes
The Necanicum estuary is constantly changing shape. The beginning of the dune area seems to have more sand than last time I was out.
Report Images
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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Mile 324
Seaside north
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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Mile 324
Seaside north
We saw lots of dead crabs, some kelp and algae on the surfline, and some driftwood.
Troop 12347
Mile 324
Seaside north
My morning walk began gloriously with the sun peaking through the clouds and chirping birds flitting through the dune grasses.
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Mile 324
Seaside north
Two Snowy Plovers seen with eggs at nests within protected sites.
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Mile 324
Seaside north
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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