Mile 90 - west of New River, New Lake - June 2, 2008 | Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition

Report Details

Kayaked in from New River to S end of New River Plover Habitat Restoration Area (HRA). Nice day, little or no wind. Removed beach campsite kiosk box that had been vandalized during the summer and transported it back to Storm Ranch. It will be repaired and returned in coming weeks. Most significant thing I saw was 2005/2006/2007 breach site now firmly sanded shut. Summer sand build-up cycle occurring. Shells, animal casings, kelp/algae, small rocks, wood pieces, plastic, land- and ocean-based debris and a lot of shrimp 1 to 1.25 inch in wrackline (10-20 per yard). One dead harbor seal pup. Bald Eagle on lagoon. Caspian Terns and Pelicans flying north. Many Snowy Plover exclosures. Low human impact (0). One set of foot prints and dog tracks on beach next to Snowy Plover nesting area.Please welcome Tim Leonard who will be watching over New River and the Western Snowy Plover this summer.

Conditions

Temperature: 58 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Human Activities

One set of tracks (barefoot) coming from S. toward Floras Lake continued N of HRA toward Bandon. Staying on wet sand. Large Dog track nearby, but unable to say for sure whether dog was with walker/runner. Dogs (even leashed) are not allowed on beaches adjacent to Plover nesting areas. The walker/runner and dog did not enter closed areas that we could see.

Notable Wildlife

Bald eagle on lagoon .5 mile S of Coos/Curry line. Caspian Terns and Pelicans moving N. Many exclosures for Snowy Plovers in old breach lagoons. Please avoid these old breach lagoons until nesting season is over.

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. dead harbor seal pup near N end of mile 90 Just S of Plover HRA.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. shrimp (unknown species) see picture.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces. Lots of shrimp

Actions & Comments

Old breach .5 mile south of coos/curry line appears solidly sanded in. Lots of seaweed and ocean source debris in high detritus line along river. New BLM Plover Compliance person Tim Leonard, accompanied me on this trip for training purposes. Summer sand build up cycle appears to be going nicely.