December 12, 2009

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Conditions at the beach were sunny and calm during a falling neap tide, and it was surprisingly warm during this intense cold spell we’ve been experiencing. Set out north to look for stranded Humboldt squid (Dosidicus gigas), reported to be washing up on Oregon beaches. Did not find any (but we did run across one on Mile 229 the day before – a monster!). Squid may have been pickup up for bait. Strand debris similar to visit of 27 Nov. Found 8 dead gulls, none fresh (same ones as last time?). The sea lion carcass was decaying away. Located a fresh, 80 cm longnose skate (Raja rhina) with no apparent wounds. There were 5 large Dungeness crabs at the waters edge, perhaps mortality from the fishery. Also 5-6 mole crabs (Emerita analoga) in the lower strand. Sand pipers were skittering in the swash zone. There was a lot of human activity (~25 cars, 20 or so people), most digging for razor clams. The word on the catch was “short but fat”.