Mile 49 - Graveyard Point, Port, Harbor, Battle Rock - March 11, 2023

Report Details

During a brief respite from rain, I found the Port busy withdrawing a boat from the harbor. They stayed busy the entire 50 minutes on that part of the mile. I saw evidence of a vehicle on the beach. I am new to monitoring this mile and do not really know if this is an odd occurence, but the track down to the beach was full of water. I also observed a great number of washed up bull kelp methodically sliced by something like a machete. I counted at least 20 done up like that. I found one Ochre Star washed up on the beach and observed what I believe is a Ruddy Turnstone feeding on some worm-like algae growing on some wet driftwood.

Conditions

Temperature: 51 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 5.7 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Walking or running: 2. I am not sure of the rules about vehicles on the beach. There weren't any while I was there but it was evident someone took their vehicle through a rather deep pool of water on the track to the beach and tire marks were evident.

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 4.

Notable Wildlife

Ruddy Turnstone

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 2. Very old, could not ID

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

One Ochre Star

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

Report Images

The Port was withdrawing this boat as we approached the beach on a spectacular late Winter day

A view South along the beach taken from the Port end

A look back at the Port along the North part of the beach

One of the very dead birds found. Did not try to ID

This is the other dead bird we found. You can see, not much to go one in order to ID, but I am out of practice for beached birds.

The wrack line was full of micro plastic and wood pieces

Evidence of a vehicle on the beach

dead ochre star

An example of the many different washed up bull kelp that were methodically sliced

You'd have to see it to believe it. I'm amazed, but Johnny thinks any 12 year old has the focus to undertake such a mission

I think this is a Ruddy Turnstone, but a more experienced birder thought it might be an immature surf bird

A really great day to be on the beach. I'm grateful to CoastWatch for motivating me to visit this day

Report Images

Skip-Jane-Legacy

CoastWatcher

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