Mile 327 Report
Clatsop Plains
June 13, 2019
A quiet, cloudy mid-morning walk on Del Rey Beach, mile 327 with people clamming, walking, and sitting on the beach.
Report Details
A quiet, cloudy mid-morning walk on Del Rey Beach, mile 327 with people clamming, walking, and sitting on the beach. Little wind and mild day. Observed a dead California sea lion on the beach near the Highlands road beach entrance attracting some attention from curious beach-goers. Saw California market squid eggs, some kelp, and rocks at the low tide line. Plastic debris and fire pits past the high tide line and into the dunes. Contacted Dr. Debbie Duffield at PSU and Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network about the dead California sea lion.
Conditions
Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 5.7 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 10. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 6. Playing in surf: 1. Playing in sand: 2. Sitting: 1. Other Activities: Two people were using clam guns to search for clams along the low tide line.. A quiet, cloudy day on Del Rey Beach. Some cars were driving along the wet sand, with one pick-up truck and a dog off-leash running behind the truck. A few people with clam guns, sitting on the beach near their cars, or walking along the beach.
Concerns
Litter
Apparent violations: Litter observed on the high tide line (plastic bags, bottles). Sturgeon fish heads and tails on the low tide line being scavenged by gulls..Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Observed brown pelicans, western and California gulls, 1 Heerman's gull (photographed), Caspian terns, and double-crested cormorant.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. Pelagic cormorant
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Observed one dead California sea lion (photographed) 200 yards from the Highlands Rd. Del Rey Beach entrance.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt). Low tide line had scattered crab shells, small rocks, and other mollusk shells. Little plastic debris at the low tide line visible. Also observed California market squid egg case and some kelp.
Actions & Comments
No apparent issues, erosion, or significant natural changes.
Report Images
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