Mile 52 Report
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
November 21, 2022
Beautiful day on Mile 52; 31 people enjoying the beach on a warm and calm afternoon; majority of visitors hunt for agates near the south beach access; two off-leash dogs roam freely; four dogs are leashed in compliance with park rules; 1 OHV enters beach at Paradise Point and drives south to Agate Beach/Tseriadun access, crossing from wet sand into dry sand/dune area, causing potential disturbance to wintering flock of snowy plovers (7 birds observed); flock of 14 American crows hover near beach and perch in trees adjacent to south beach access; driftline contains mostly small rock, shells, wood and kelp; very little trash
Report Details
Beautiful day on Mile 52; 31 people enjoying the beach on a warm and calm afternoon; majority of visitors hunt for agates near the south beach access; two off-leash dogs roam freely; four dogs are leashed in compliance with park rules; 1 OHV enters beach at Paradise Point and drives south to Agate Beach/Tseriadun access, crossing from wet sand into dry sand/dune area, causing potential disturbance to wintering flock of snowy plovers (7 birds observed); flock of 14 American crows hover near beach and perch in trees adjacent to south beach access; driftline contains mostly small rock, shells, wood and kelp; very little trash
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 0.3 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 31. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 7. Playing in surf: 1. Sitting: 1. Other Activities: 2 off-leash dogs 4 leashed dogs. OHV drives through roosting habitat of wintering snowy plover flock
Concerns
Litter
Apparent violations: Dog owners bag dog waste but leave 3 bags on beach.Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 6. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 1.
Notable Wildlife
Small deer herd in dunes; 3 black oystercatchers 14 American crows perched in trees near south access to beach 7 western snowy plovers (federally threatened) resting on upper beach between surf and dunes
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 6. 4 gulls (WEGU and unknown species) 1 large grebe species; 1 small grebe species;
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces. large piece of rusting metal debris washed ashore or uncovered by surf
Natural Changes
No flow at watercourse outlet located at south end of beach.
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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