Mile 325 - Clatsop Plains, Gearhart south - 02/28/2026 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

It is always interesting to walk from Clatsop Plains/South Gearhart towards the estuary as cars are prohibited on this stretch of beach. An overcast morning sky and a high tide revealed 24 protected Snowy Plover, some individuals were banded. Many intact marine invertebrate shells were seen on the beach. Two small skate egg cases approximately 3-4 inches in size with curled edges (genus Caliraja) were seen near the estuary. I submitted an eBird list describing the avifauna seen on the mile.

Conditions

Temperature: 47 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 7.2 feet.

Activities

Number of people: 18. Number of dogs: 8.

Notable Wildlife

A morning walk on Clatsop Plains/South Gearhart Beach revealed many marine invertebrate shells including Nuttall's Cockle, Nuttallia clams, Eccentric Sand Dollars, Dish Surfclam, Pacific Razor Clam, and Leafy Hornmouth. Two small skate egg cases were washed up towards the estuary in the genus Caliraja. The skate egg cases were dark purple, dried out with long twisted edges. Protected Snowy Plovers, some banded, were resting in the wrack line, including a few males in breeding plumage.

Wrackline Content

The wrack line included shells, woody debris, some Dungeness crabs and marine debris.