Mile 336 - Columbia Beach, Peter Iredale wreck, Fort Stevens SP - September 7, 2023

Report Details

Very busy day at the beach and about the end of tourist season. Same concerns noted as last visit with fires too close to the dunes, trash in fires and on beach (especially more on the drivable side) and vehicle violations with tracks down the beach that is still closed to motor vehicles. The dunes and the erosion looks about the same. No king tides or summer storms yet but tides must be getting high and noticed vehicle tracks right at the base of the dune bluff. Did find multiple dead birds, mostly Common Murre, with 3 dead jumplings (small juveniles not yet ready to fledge from nests.) There were many more electric bikes but only observed them on the side that allows motor vehicles so that is good. Multiple dogs observed off leash and one chasing shorebirds away.

Conditions

Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 3.4 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 79. Number of dogs: 18. Walking or running: 16. Playing in surf: 2. Playing in sand: 3. Sitting: 19. Photography: 13. Other Activities: Biking - 13, Electric Bikes - 4. This is a very popular beach and many people stop and take pictures and only stay for a little while. There were more people sitting and enjoying the beach at this time then last visit. Although I did not observe any vehicles in the no driving area there were multiple tracks.

Concerns

Fire, Litter

Apparent violations: Motor vehicle violations = tracks in restricted to motor vehicle area until Sept. 15th and 3 or more "donuts" as evidence of reckless driving. Fire violations = evidence of multiple fires to close to the dunes, in large driftwood and garbage being burnt. Noticeably more litter on the side that is open to vehicles..

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 38. RVs/Buses parking: 3. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 13.

Notable Wildlife

Observed 15 gulls, 4 brown pelicans and 4 smaller shorebirds. Most of the gulls were flying overhead and avoiding humans in this crowded area but a few were hanging around the parking and people picnicking. The shorebirds were chased by a dog and flew away. The pelicans were flying by over the water.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 6. There were 2 adults and 3 juvenile common murres and 1 cormorant. None were banded.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Almost a continuous "wrack line" of broken sand dollars to the south of the beach access road. A few dead jelly fish.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam.

Report Images

North from south end of mile

West Peter Iredale

Beach access road

Donuts in sand

Fire less than 25 ft from vegetation

Jelly fish

Restriction sign with tracks beyond

South from north end of mile

Trash in fires

Vehicle tracks in no motorized area

wrack line of broken sand dollars

Report Images

RachelW

CoastWatcher

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Mile 336

Columbia Beach, Peter Iredale wreck, Fort Stevens SP

May 10, 2024

Nearly one hundred vehicles and hundreds of people clamming and enjoying the beach, including 120 Astoria Middle School students on a field trip learning about marine debris monitoring and hybrid beach grass.

Astoria Middle School