Mile 326 - Clatsop Plains, Gearhart Golf Course, Gearhart north - March 31, 2022

Report Details

On a sunny, afternoon walk at Gearhart Ocean Beach, I observed 8 dogs and 7 humans, walking and sitting on the beach, enjoying the mild weather. The tide was fairly high at 5ft with little exposed beach. Notable wildlife sightings included 6 Bald Eagles and 4 Common Ravens scavenging on a pinniped carcass. The Bald Eagles included individuals in various stages of development, identifiable by distinct plumage characteristics. At one point, 5 Bald Eagles were perched in proximity to each other on a log above the high tide line. A large group of approximately 300 Sanderlings were foraging in the surf, associating with 2 Dunlin. In addition, along the high tide wrack line, I observed a dead albatross.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 7. Walking or running: 5. Sitting: 3.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. 1 dead albatross, photographed below.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Observed one large dead seal, photographed below, scavenged by Common Ravens and Bald Eagles.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.). Wrack line consisted of crab shells, pieces of drift wood, and plastic debris.

Report Images

Bald Eagles on Seal Carcass

Bald Eagle, Adult (L) and Juvenile (R)

Adult Bald Eagle Scavenging on Seal Carcass

Five Bald Eagles, showing various stages of development and plumage characteristics

Sanderling Flock

Close-up of sanderlings foraging at high tide

Dead Albatross - Head close up

Dead Albatross- Feet Close-up

Dead Albatross-Full Body

Report Images

sultanym

CoastWatcher

All Mile 326 Reports

Date

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Mile 326

Clatsop Plains, Gearhart Golf Course, Gearhart north

June 6, 2024

I am submitting this dispatch report to document the presence of the deceased Hoodwinker Mola fish that washed up on Gearhart beach on June 3rd, 2024, making local news and intriguing beach visitors who flocked to this mile by foot and by vehicle to see this unusual find.

sultanym