Mile 57 - North side of Cape Blanco, south of Castle Rock - April 22, 2011

Report Details

Another wonderful morning at the beach at Cape Blanco state park. It was again sunny while I walked the beach north of Cape Blanco, that runs from the Cape to the Sixes River. I then walked inland along a path (where I met some cows) that goes to the Hughes house and then back via the road (I didn't see the path that goes from the Hughes house back to the lighthouse/campground areas) to the lighthouse area/overlook. I reached the beach early enough that the beach was partly shadowed during the first part of my walk. I'd gone to the beach early to make sure I would be on the beach at low tide. The tide was low enough that I was able to walk out to Castle Rock, a large sea stack near the outlet of the Sixes River.

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 1. Walking or running: 1. Photography: 1. I was the only person on the beach. I walked & photographed (also picked up some pebbles). Some birds moved in response to my getting closer than they felt comfortable with while I was photographing them.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Caspian terns (see photograph). Haven't seen them on this beach before (but it's the first time I've been to this beach in April), fairly sure sighting of 1-2 black oystercatchers, a fairly large gathering/flock of plovers and gulls. All but gulls seen near Castle Rock where the Sixes River flows into the ocean.

Driftline Content

Wood pieces. did not see much of a driftline.

Man-made Modifications

none observed

Natural Changes

saw what might've been some sliding of a partially vegetated slope.

Actions & Comments

No action to be taken. Did observe some interesting changes in the beach itself that I have not seen before. Some of the beach was composed of small well rounded pebbles (as opposed to sand-sized particles). It's more difficult to walk on. There seemed to be some sections of beach where slopes (running parallel to the water) in this heavier beach material had been shaped and were now being cut, and/or eroded away by high tides. I took photos, will attach 1, perhaps 2. On this visit, the larger sized sediment/particles occurred more frequently towards the north end of the mile.