Mile 34 - Wakeman Beach, Geisel Monument Wayside - July 4, 2008

Report Details

1. Dead Seals:4 baby dead seals found on beach from early April to Mid-May. Two were badly mutilated, certainly before they washed up on the shore. One seal had no noticeable injuries, but was very dead. The last had visible injuries, but had bled out. The seal [population, in general, seemed about 1/2 to1/3 of what is was say 4 years back.2. BIRDS:A. Oystercatchers: Only about 4 maximum at one time observed. Usually, only 1 to 3 are present. This is much less than 2007 where up to 14 at one time were observed repeatedly.B. Cormorants: From Feb to June, about 5 mutilated Cormorantswere found. There is a sizable population on the Point(Hubbard Mound) just south of mile 34. Two quick observations oftheir location indicated no obvious problems.3. DEAD OCTOPUS: A large white with orange spots Octopuswas found in a tide pool, on 07/03/08. Weight, about 20 kg.About half of the tentacles were cut off apparently by a boat prop. The Octopus disappeared after two days, washed out to sea I assume. 4. TRASH: The amount of trash was significant from January to the end of April. Much less since then. The biggest trash item are the rubber strips from tire inner tubes. The source is unknown. From Feb to the end of April, I removed (typically)about 1 - 2 kg of trash on each beach walk, or about 3 - 4 timesa week.

Notable Wildlife

DEAD OCTOPUS: A large white Octopus with orange spots. Octopuswas found in a tide pool, on 07/03/08. Weight, about 20 kg.About half of the tentacles were cut off apparently by a boat prop. The Octopus disappeared after two days, washed out to sea I assume.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 5. A. Oystercatchers: Only about 4 maximum at one time observed.Usually, only 1 to 3 are present. This is much less than 2007where up to 14 at one time were observed repeatedly.B. Cormorants: From Feb to June, about 5 mutilated Cormorantswere found. There is a sizable population on the Point(Hubbard Mound) just south of mile 34. Two quick observation oftheir locations indicated no obvious problems.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 4. 4 baby dead seals found on beach from early April to Mid-May. Two were badly mutilated, certainly before they washed up on the shore. One seal had no noticeable injuries, but was very dead. The last had visible injuries,but had bled out. The seal [population, in general, seemed about 1/2 to 1/3 ofwhat is was say 4 years back.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls.

Actions & Comments

TRASH: The amount of trash was significant from January tomthe end of April. Much less since then. The biggest trash item are the rubber strips from tire inner tubes. The source is unknown. From Feb to the end of April, I removed (typically) about 1 - 2 kg of trash on each beach walk, or about 3 - 4 timesa week.

edbear

CoastWatcher

All Mile 34 Reports

Date

Showing 8 of 13 reports

Mile 34

Wakeman Beach, Geisel Monument Wayside

July 14, 2023

This small beach area is fairly well protected as mentioned except for a privately owned section between conservation easement properties.

alcyonlord@gmail.com

Mile 34

Wakeman Beach, Geisel Monument Wayside

October 3, 2020

Foggy morning hike of mile 34.

tayloreandc

Mile 34

Wakeman Beach, Geisel Monument Wayside

July 20, 2020

We spent a good number of hours watching birds (cormorants, pigeon guillemots, adult and juvenile bald eagles, great blue heron, osprey carrying fish, pelicans moving north, oystercatchers).

alcyonlord@gmail.com