Mile 50 Report
Port Orford Heads east of Tichenor Rock, Tichenor Cove
September 1, 2013
Despite being adjacent to the Port of Port Orford, this is one of the most pristine segments of the South Coast.
Report Details
Despite being adjacent to the Port of Port Orford, this is one of the most pristine segments of the South Coast.There is a little access to the eastern segment, particularly at low tide, from the Port; also, there are some visitors to the shoreline in Nellies Cove via the Port Orford Heads State Park, but the old steep stairway leading down to the Cove from the site of the former Coast Guard Station is now nearly impassable so recreational usage of the shoreline is light. I toured the mile by kayak, which is the most practical way of observing the shoreline. Nellies and Tichenor Coves accumulate some washed up debris, but I can usually keep up with it through twice-a-year cleanups by kayak.
Conditions
Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 1. Fishing: 1. One person fishing from a rock accessible from the Port of Port Orford.
Concerns
Litter
Notable Wildlife
harbor seals, cormorants, gulls, murres, ospreys, oyster catcher
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. common murres--one on beach, others in water. I see dead murres in this area quite often while kayaking; this mornings sightings were not particularly unusual.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces.
Actions & Comments
I did as much beach cleanup as I could, given the capacity of my kayak. There is more work to be done, particularly in the east lobes of Nellies and Tichenor Coves. I will try to get to it before the fall cleanup.
mvolson
CoastWatcher
All Mile 50 Reports
Mile 50
Port Orford Heads east of Tichenor Rock, Tichenor Cove
Didn't do watch on mile 51.
SRMcMillan
Mile 50
Port Orford Heads east of Tichenor Rock, Tichenor Cove
Although there has been some residential development above the cliffs at the east end of mile 50, the shoreline is largely inaccessible and remains remarkably wild for a populated area that once had an active Coast Guard Station.
mvolson
Mile 50
Port Orford Heads east of Tichenor Rock, Tichenor Cove
Despite being adjacent to the Port of Port Orford, this is one of the most pristine segments of the South Coast.
mvolson