Mile 52 Report
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
September 9, 2023
Hazy conditions due to smoke from wildfires in wilderness areas east of Port Orford. Juvenile snowy plover and common murre chick offshore indicate successful nesting. Bleached barnacles on rocks may indicate disease or exposure to extreme temperatures. New home construction noted at southeast end of beach.
Report Details
Hazy conditions due to smoke from wildfires in wilderness areas east of Port Orford. Juvenile snowy plover and common murre chick offshore indicate successful nesting. Bleached barnacles on rocks may indicate disease or exposure to extreme temperatures. New home construction noted at southeast end of beach.
Conditions
Temperature: 9 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 5.4 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 14. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 9. Sitting: 5.
Concerns
People/dogs/vehicles in closure areas
Apparent violations: OHV tracks run through dunes and into creek..Notable Wildlife
Small flock of 12 western snowy plovers includes at least 1 juvenile. Large flock of 50 gulls includes western gull, CA gull, and Heerman's gull. 1 osprey, 1 whimbrel, 4 western sandpipers, 2 Caspian terns, 2 American crows. 1 common murre adult offshore with 1 chick.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. common murre - 4 young birds
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
1 dead sea star barnacles on exposed rocks appear bleached/dead
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces.
New Development
New home construction at southeast end of beach. Home is tucked into forest overlooking south end of beach.
Natural Changes
Smoke and haze evident from wildfire in Grassy Knob wilderness area east of Agate Beach.
Alison Cebula
CoastWatcher
All Mile 52 Reports
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
Very windy.
Michaela Donato
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
Do to the 20 mph winds there was limited presence of humans or animals.
Tam Donato
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
Everything seemed fine but I thought it was weird there were no birds
Brian / Michaela Donato
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
There was a lot of small wood debris.
Brian Donato
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
There was a lot of small wood debris.
Brian Donato
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
Velella velella in the wrackline.
Crystal Roy
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
Most notable observations were the large amount of wrack debris, including fresh kelp, small woody debris, and remnants of dead gorse plants scattered along waveslope.
Alison Cebula
Mile 52
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
Hazy conditions due to smoke from wildfires in wilderness areas east of Port Orford. Juvenile snowy plover and common murre chick offshore indicate successful nesting. Bleached barnacles on rocks may indicate disease or exposure to extreme temperatures. New home construction noted at southeast end of beach.
Alison Cebula