Mile 46 - Rocky Point, Betz Creek, north of Coal Point - August 14, 2013

Report Details

How the beach does change! Since our last visit the sand has moved in and covered/filled in most of the tide pooling areas and our rocky boulder beach areas are now 75% covered! Tons and Tons of sand. We noticed lots of biological matter on the beach. In the areas where we once used to have thriving tide pools, the algae and kelp has been scrapped off and washed in with the sand. Please see the attached photos. It looks like more JTMD has washed in. We found some wood that looks to be of Asian construction at Coal point. See attached photosAlso, I have uploaded some photos from Mile 49. Both these animals were found ~100yrds east of Battle Rock.

Conditions

Temperature: 52 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 7. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 5. Playing in surf: 2. Playing in sand: 2. Everyone is out enjoying a foggy summer day!

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Oyster Catchers, Kill Deer, Seagulls

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 5. No bands. All dead birds were in really bad shape. Could not identify properly.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

6 Dead Gumboots were noticed. Likely more hidden in the wrack line, which was piled high with algae and kelp.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Styrofoam.

Natural Changes

Newly exposed roots/trees falling.

Actions & Comments

ODOT has done trimming and thinning of vegetation along the 101. It looks as though two or three trees were pushed down onto the beach, although this cannot be confirmed. Tree do appear to have been cut. No further action has been taken. This is just an observation.