Mile 49 - Graveyard Point, Port, Harbor, Battle Rock - June 18, 2011

Report Details

Calm weather, calm sea. Several people quietly enjoying the beach in their own ways. The dock seemed busy with several boats out and one coming in while I was there. There seemed to be more live birds around than is sometimes the case. The only dead ones (4) had been there awhile and carcasses had parts missing. However, I had a chance to use my newly-acquired information to try to identify them, thanks to the COASST training June 12 in Gold Beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: -1.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 17. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 6. Fishing: 4. Other Activities: Working on dock. I have three access points at Port Orford: 1. Battle Rock: family of three at edge of water (female child had sand-digging toys farther from the water); two people walking on Battle Rock; 1 walking away from the beach. 2. Dock Beach: three people with five dogs, walking; a bit later, four people trying to fish with a net in the surf. 3. On the dock: seven people working. A fishing boat was being winched up at the time. Estimated 50 cars parked on the dock; most probably belonged to fishers or dock workers.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 56.

Notable Wildlife

Oystercatchers flying; crow and starlings on the beach; pelicans and cormorants in the water; gulls near the dock, apparently waiting for fish scraps.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 4. 4 birds, all old; carcasses partly gone. I took the COASST training July 12 and was prepared with my guidebook and tools. One was a Western Gull, 1 Common Murre, 1 possibly Common Murre and 1 a tubenose, possibly a petrel. All were on the dock beach.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Wood pieces.