Mile 54 - South of Cape Blanco, access road to Elk River - 10/27/2024

Report Details

Significant wash up of Moon Jellies. Lots of people fishing the mouth of the elk, with a lot of vehicles as well. 4 of them driving golf balls into the dunes.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 2.8 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 14. Number of dogs: 5. Walking or running: 1. Sitting: 5. Fishing: 8. Other Activities: 4 people driving golf balls into the dunes. Lots of fisherman out at the mouth. 4 nimrods were driving golf balls into the dunes just north of the elk river after fishing.

Concerns

Litter

Apparent violations: 4 people were driving golf balls into the dunes after fishing the mouth of the Elk.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 5.

Notable Wildlife

Roughly a dozen large, beached and degrading Moon Jelly, still moving. Hundreds of clear blobs on the beach. Giant gaggle of geese (at least 300) flew overhead to the south.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. Unknown

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. Moon Jelly, appeared to have just finished breeding.

Driftline Content

Found a Japanese life jacket

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune. Still amazed at how flat the south side of the elk is now. We had 15ft dunes there a few years ago.