Mile 52 Report
Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
October 2, 2021
4 people walking on beach; 4 people digging for agates; 1 unleashed dog; no vehicles, but tracks were present.
Report Details
4 people walking on beach; 4 people digging for agates; 1 unleashed dog; no vehicles, but tracks were present. Beach swept mostly clean by recent tides; very little trash or plastic; no "nurdles" (plastic pellets) observed; 5 western snowy plovers resting together in dry sand; 1 alive stranded duck (brief look - unknown species); 1 dead brown pelican; 3 dead common murre. Area of cut shore pines on bluff (likely private property, but unknown). Notice of pesticide spraying posted at Paradise Point parking area.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 5.9 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 4. Vehicle tracks through roosting habitat of western snowy plovers Unleashed dog Discarded picnic supplies and cloth mask on beach (observer collected and removed)
Concerns
Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs
Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 3. ATVs/OHVs parking: 1.
Notable Wildlife
5 western snowy plovers observed (federally listed - threatened) 1 stranded duck species walking in dry sand- did not allow approach/unable to ID/possibly originated from Garrison Lake
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 4. 1 brown pelican; 3 common murre
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
1 small dead fish at driftline - anchovy/herring/smelt?
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Very little trash or plastic in drift line; beach is relatively clean No small plastic pellets (nurdles) observed! Styrofoam float and large strand of rope entangled in kelp at drift line
New Development
Landowners adjacent to beach have developed private access trails with gates at property boundaries (existing - not new development)
Man-made Modifications
Removal or cutting of native shore pines at bluff - private property? Notice of pesticide application posted at Paradise Point parking area - east side of roadway
Natural Changes
None noted
Actions & Comments
Have not yet determined if cut trees are on State Park land or private property (likely private)
Report Images
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Agate Beach, Garrison Lake, south of Paradise Point SW
There was a lot of small wood debris.
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There was a lot of small wood debris.
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Velella velella in the wrackline.
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There were only 5 people and 3 dogs, but I observed this little black and white bird near the water.
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Fine morning on beach with visitors mostly near Tseriadun access area looking for agates. Western snowy plovers present during breeding season.
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