July 21, 2007

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Very Few People use this mile

BIRDS:Back in early June, I saw a V-formation of about 20 pelicans. Themost I have seen at once for a long time.Copious amounts of Oyster Catchers. On one recent day (07/19/07), I counted15.

Total dead birds: 4. DEAD BIRDS:1. January: Dead Gull2. May: Dead Bird with black and white markings. quitedecomposed. A Murre?3. June: I spotted an adult oystercatcher caught in the surf.It was having a lot of trouble staying afloat and did not seem tobe able to fly. By the time I got the surf edge, the bird was unconscious. I moved it with a stick to the top of a rock, out of the surf.The bird appeared to breathing O.K., but was unconscious.I then left to continue my walk. If it did not come around in about 1.5 hours, the tide would get it.4. July: 07/15/07: Dead Pelican. 07/17/07: Dead Oyster Catcher.Both, very decayed.

DEAD SEALS:I counted 7 dead seal pups in April, one in May, anda dead adult seal (about 30 kg) in June. The eight dead seal pups is double what I have observed in previous years.Of the dead pups:1. Four were mutilated badly, probably much of the mutilationwas caused by the vultures. All were very small.2. Two appeared fine, except they were dead. No visibletrauma. About 2-3 kg each.3. One was fine, except no head. About 4 kg.4. One was fine except for a large puncture in the lower torso.About 3 kg.The dead adult had not visible trauma, but the eyes were gone.It looked like the eyes were gone prior to the seal washing up onthe beach. At this size (30 kg), it was already ripe. This is the3rd adult seal to die and wash up on the beach within a one year period.Again, none had any visible trauma. All were off-white (yellowish tinge) colored.

Many dead Ling cod in January, mostlysmall fish.One large Dead Ray in January with no visible signs of trauma. About 4 feet, wingtip to wingtip.SAILOR jelly fish (vavella):A modest number of very small sailors showed up, with the largestdiameters of about 1/4 inch. This contrasts with what occurred in 2004when we had 3 large waves of sailors with diameters up to the Silver DollarDiameter. This large amount did result in a noticeable smell as thesailors decayed. I can only assume the small number and size for 2007is the result of the cold spring.

Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). See General Comments

Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls.

TRASH:2007 has been a year with copious amounts of trash on the beach. Much more than previous years. It seems like very month so far has had a "theme":1. January: Little trash, but many dead Ling Cod. One large Dead Ray with no visible signs of trauma.2. February: Excessive amounts of trash (buoys, crab bait sacks and plastic cans, traps, ropes, etc.) from crabbing.3. March: Plastic cans & bottles. Many, many. Big ones (50 Gal)down to small ones (baby food containers).4. April: Some More Plastic bottle and Dead seal pups.5. May: Rubber ties. These are obviously cut from tire inner tubes. I do not know the purpose, but I have picked up close to 10 kg of this type of trash.6. June & July: Little trash, mostly rubber ties once again.7. And, only two tires.