Mile 202

North Spit Alsea River
Lincoln County

Latitude: 44.432339899833
Longitude: -124.082379720300
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Vehicles:
  • Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from Yaquina Bay (44° 37.0374', Mile 215), southerly to the Lincoln County-Lane County line (44° 16.5774', Mile 190).
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Tides: NOAA Tide Predictions. Click on the station nearest to your location to see predicted tides in graphical and tabular formats.
North Spit Alsea River
Mile 202 Reports (32)

2020

November 15, 2020 - Jon French

Alsea Bay was fairly calm at noon for today's 8.985' King Tide, but on the ocean side the surf was high and roiled up after last night's rain and 60-plus mph wind gusts. This what it looked like, with surf all the way up to the dunes at times. I...read more

  • Surf up to dunes
  • Western Snowy Plover area, Mile 202
  • Snowy Plovers along surf
  • Snowy Plovers along surf #2
  • Driftline
October 26, 2020 - Jon French

The north wind was brisk today, with hardly anyone on the beach.  On the southern portion of Mile 202, I counted a cluster of 17 Western Snowy Plovers, which winter here, all sheltering in ones and twos on the downwind side of beach vegetation which my new iNaturalist app "Seek"...read more

  • Western Snowy Plover sheltering from north wind
  • 3 Western Snowy Plovers sheltering from north wind
  • American Searocket beach vegetation
  • Smooth sand beach
  • Gulls at edge of Alsea Bay
  • Lone crabber, Alsea Bay
September 26, 2020 - Jon French

After the recent storms, I was surprised not to find any marine debris of human origin.  Instead, along the driftline were hundreds of strange little jelly like pods with tiny tails.  After a lot of Googling, these turned out to be dead "burrowing sea cucumbers" (Leptosynapta clarki), which live beneath...read more

  • Burrowing sea cucumbers
  • Burrowing sea cucumber closeup
  • Western Snowy Plovers
  • Landmark driftwood 2-14-2020
  • Landmark driftwood 9-26-2020
  • Beach tree, decorated
August 20, 2020 - Jon French

I planned my walk hoping to reach the northern tip of Alsea Spit around 8:45 a.m. for the predicted low tide of -1.05. I thought it would be an easy walk over flat sand but hadn't counted on the stretches of exposed rough seafloor covered by standing water dotted with...read more

  • Alsea Spit walking map
  • North Alsea Spit looking east toward Bayshore
  • North Alsea Spit looking south
  • South tip of North Alsea Spit
  • Brown Pelicans and Gulls
  • Turkey Vulture scavenging Gull carcass
  • Turkey Vultures on sand
  • Tube Worm casings
August 2, 2020 - Jon French

The only known snowy plover nest this year on Mile 202 failed.  Of the fourteen known plover nests located and monitored this year between Seal Rock and Patterson Memorial Recreation Site just south of Waldport, only three nests were successful, producing five chicks.  At failed nest sites, eggs usually disappeared...read more

  • Bayshore failed nest
  • Crow tracks and failed nest Bayshore
  • Crow tracks near failed nest Collins Creek
July 22, 2020 - Jon French

"Snowy Plovers are Here!" announces the children's artwork sign posted by Beach Ranger Doug Sestrich at the Bayshore Beach Club beach access just north of a new Western Snowy Plover nest. See photos. On July 13th, Doug spotted a plover and nest with one egg, and Roy Lowe subsequently saw...read more

  • Snowy Plovers are Here!
  • Plover buffer and beachgoers
  • Fuzzy plover on nest behind buffer sign
  • Plover on nest behind buffer rope
July 6, 2020 - Jon French

The Morning After -- July 5th here in Bayshore, on an otherwise beautiful weekend, means residents spending hours beginning to clean up the fireworks debris left by the few thoughtless holiday visitors who don't believe the "Fireworks Prohibited" signs should restrict their freedom to trash the beach. Attached are photos...read more

  • Osprey with eel
  • Gulls at shore
  • Fireworks debris on sand
  • Fireworks debris, Bayshore South
  • Fireworks debris Bayshore North
  • Smoldering log and COVID mask
May 9, 2020 - Jon French

Ospreys atop nest platform, Bayshore Beach Club parking lot.  Osprey couple settling in atop a very exposed nest platform I didn't think would be occupied.  Now for a little work on that nest!read more

  • Ospreys atop nest platform, Bayshore Beach Club parking lot
  • Ospreys atop nest platform, closeup
May 1, 2020 - Jon French

Another beautiful day on Mile 202.  I watched a flock of 18 whimbrels feeding along the shoreline, probably migrants headed north to breed on the tundra.  Someone in the past attached an osprey nest platform atop a utility pole in a parking lot across from the Bayshore Beach Club.  I've...read more

  • Whimbrel
  • Portion of whimbrel flock
  • Osprey nest pole
  • Osprey nest platform
April 20, 2020 - Jon French

No Western Snowy Plovers were seen this visit, but extensive plover tracks were seen in the dry sand near the sloping dunes when walking south down the beach.  See attached photos.  The plover tracks are blurry in the soft sand, but they are a little "pigeon toed," not quite straight,...read more

  • Network of plover tracks
  • Plover tracks with pen
  • Plover tracks closeup
April 13, 2020 - Jon French

No snowy plovers today, and very few birds at all.  Plover sightings have declined from 30-40 individuals during my walk on 1/30/2020, to approx 20 on 2/14, to 12-14 on 3/4, to 10 on 3/22, to 6 on 3/31, to none today.  Continuing sand accumulation and smoothing out of beach...read more

  • Landmark driftwood looking south to former snowy plover location
  • 2/14/2020 photo of landmark driftwood looking south to plover habitat
  • Former location of plovers
  • 3/4/2020 plover area
March 31, 2020 - Jon French

Very little human activity today.  Short-term vacation rentals at Bayshore have now been banned due to COVID-19.read more

  • Dead seal pup
  • Dead seal pup closeup
  • Western Snowy Plover
  • Tree trunk driftwood with new sand
  • Landmark driftwood with new sand deposit
March 22, 2020 - Jon French

Spring Break Sunday on Mile 202.  I saw only 25 people on my walk south beginning at 11:15 a.m., but more were arriving by the time I ended my walk back at the Bayshore Beach Club beach entrance at 12:45 p.m.  Except for two groups of four people each (children...read more

  • Spring Break Sunday, North tip of Alsea Spit
  • Area containing aproximately 10 Western Snowy Plovers
  • Plovers after human disturbance
  • Tree trunk driftwood with new sand
March 4, 2020 - Jon French

The 12-14 Plovers were seen in approximate area as on my 2-14-2020 walk, in the dry sand south of 67D beach entrance and landmark driftwood, located now precisely with Polaris navigation app and Bing map.  Plovers are standing, appearing to be pairing up.read more

  • Area where Plovers seen
  • Plover pair
  • Plover location map
February 14, 2020 - Jon French

Fewer Western Snowy Plovers this walk than on 1/30/2020, approximately 20 total today (30-40 last visit) in two clusters south of beach access 67D (beyond the landmark driftwood in the attached photo and before the steep sand bluffs).  On my previous walk, the plovers were about a quarter of a...read more

  • Western Snowy Plovers
  • Landmark driftwood looking South to Plover habitat
  • Plover habitat
  • New sand dump
  • Layered sand deposits forming sand bluff
  • Dead gull at beginning of walk
  • Dead gull scavenged, end of walk
January 30, 2020 - Jon French

Another beautiful walk on Mile 202, highlighted by seeing 30-40 Western Snowy Plovers scattered along the upper portions of the sand perhaps 100 yards North and South of Beach Access 67C (Bayshore South), a stretch of sandy beach and rolling dunes a half mile or so north of the tip...read more

  • Western Snowy Plover, Bayshore Beach
  • Western Snowy Plovers, Bayshore Beach
  • Banded Western Snowy Plover, Bayshore Beach
  • New sand deposits #1, Bayshore Beach bluffs
  • New sand deposits #2, Bayshore Beach bluffs
  • Erosion at tip of Alsea Spit
  • Plastic water bottle, Cest Bon, Chinese brand
January 14, 2020 - Jon French

A chilly north wind but still beautiful on Mile 202, which I had virtually all to myself.  I previously walked 202 on 12/30/19 and wanted to view any changes after a weekend of storms and King Tides.  Sand appeared to have been deposited on the rolling dunes along the northern...read more

  • Beached gull #1, body cavity scavenged
  • Beached gull #1, head missing
  • Beached gull #2, scavenged
  • Beached gull #3
  • Beached Cassin's Auklet
  • Great Blue Heron surf fishing
  • Eroding sand dumped on 12/23/2019
  • Eroding sand bluff
  • Erosion below house
  • Debris collected from beach

2019

December 30, 2019 - Jon French

A beautiful morning on Mile 202.  A beach hazard/sneaker wave warning was in effect, and I anticipated few people on the beach, but I encountered at least 60 people and perhaps half as many dogs, people just walking, running their dogs, a few people jogging close to the surf, a...read more

  • Dumping of sand onto beach on Mile 202, Alsea Spit
  • Front end loader loading sand for dumping on beach, Mile 202
  • Concentrated group of crab molts
August 19, 2019 - samdel

A beautiful day at the Beach. Some days earlier a juvenile humpback whale was beached around the middle of mile 202. It was eventually euthanized and buried somewhere on mile 202. read more

2017

July 20, 2017 - unbound

During our beach cleanup on July 20, 2017 we saw 36 people and 7 dogs. Most people were walking, but it was a beautiful sunny day, so there were some folks who opted to checkout the surf and others who were sitting and enjoying the day. We saw many beach...read more

2016

March 26, 2016 - unbound

A quiet, cloudy day on the Bayshore. We saw two families, grouped in 6 and 4, respectively, out walking on the beach. We found significantly more marine debris than usual, especially fishing-related items. Odd findings included a crate, a garbage can lid, and a dummy foot for shoe making. All...read more

  • It was a cloudy, overcast day during our cleanup on the Bayshore, North Alsea River Spit, OR.
  • Photo of the wrack line. Lots of driftwood and Velella Velellas.
  • We found significantly more trash on our mile than in previous cleanups. Most of it appeared to have washed onshore. Lots of fishing gear and large pieces of plastic.
  • We found a crate covered with barnacles. We looked but could find no markings of origin.
  • We found a garbage can lid. No markings or sign of origin.
  • We found what appeared to be a foot dummy for shoe making. We did not find any markings or signs of origin.
  • We found a very fresh and pliable deceased pacific loon entangled in netting. We tagged it as #339 as part of our COASST survey. We cut the netting off and disposed of it after tagging.
  • We found a black scoter as part of our COASST dead shorebird survey. We tagged it as #340.

2015

November 27, 2015 - unbound

Beautiful sunny day on the beach great for a post-holiday cleanup. Counted 27 humans and 9 dogs. Most individuals were walking, but noted one family sitting and observing. Picked up mostly plastic debris including water bottles and food packaging. Also noted Styrofoam and rope debris. Found 5 dead shorebirds and...read more

  • We found a large, flat fish washed up above the wrack line. Possibly a Mola mola?
  • Dead shorebird we identified as a Brandt's Cormorant. Possibly a sooty shearwater. Difficult to tell due to condition of carcass. Tag #334
  • Dead shorebird identified as a northern fulmar. Tag #335.
  • Dead bird identified as a Canadian goose, but possibly a brown pelican. Difficult to identify due to condition of carcass. Tag #336.
  • Dead shorebird identified as a large immature gull. Only head found. Body nowhere in vicinity. Tag #337.
  • Dead shorebird identified as a Northern Fulmar. Tag #338.
  • Looking south down the Bayshore, N. Alsea River mile 202, Oregon.
  • Looking North up the Bayshore, N. Alsea River mile 202, Oregon. Beautiful sunny day with no clouds.
September 17, 2015 - unbound
Overall light human activity with 21 people and two dogs. We did not notice any unusual levels of trash or debris, but did pick up about a bag's worth. We found nine dead Common murres, possibly connected to a recent wreck on the Pacific Northwest coast. We spotted a few...read more
  • Conditions were mostly cloudy on the Bayshore, North Alsea River, OR on the day of the cleanup
  • A few driftwood structures found on the Bayshore.
  • The fog rolls in on the Bayshore during the cleanup.
  • Sea jelly and kelp found in the wrack line during Bayshore cleanup.
  • We found a toothbrush during our Bayshore cleanup.
  • One of the nine common murres we found and tagged during the Bayshore cleanup. Possibly connected with recent wreck.
July 11, 2015 - unbound
A cloudy, overcast day on the Bayshore. The debris we found on the beach consisted mainly of the usual microplastics, Styrofoam, and fishing material along with picnic trash left from visitors. Although we did find a lot of remnants from fireworks, it was not as bad as we feared coming...read more
  • Warm, but cloudy, overcast day on the Bayshore near Waldport, OR.
  • Found big length of PVC pipe laying on beach. Origin unknown. We pulled it off of the beach and disposed of it.
  • Here's a close-up shot of the length of PVC pipe we found on the beach.
  • Common Murre found on the Bayshore/North Alsea River Spit near Waldport, OR.
  • We believe this to be a Sooty Shearwater, found on the Bayshore/North Alsea River Spit near Waldport, OR.
  • Brandt's Cormorant found on the Bayshore/North Alsea River Spit near Waldport, OR.
  • Second Common Murre found on the Bayshore/North Alsea River Spit near Waldport, OR.
February 16, 2015 - unbound
Beautiful President's Day on the Bayshore near Waldport, OR. Enjoyed a very sunny day with record high temps. Noted approximately 20 humans on beach - one family flying kites and playing in the surf, while the rest were walking along the water's edge. Noted lots of driftwood and debris close...read more
  • Photo of tire found on beach.
  • Found a large bag used to hold liquids.
  • A beautiful day on the Bayshore near Waldport, OR. Shot looking southwards towards Alsea Bay outlet to ocean. Lots of driftwood near spit.
  • Dead bird identified as a Cassin's auklet. We banded the carcass as #318.
  • Not much left of this bird, but we identified it as a California gull and banded it #319.
  • Identified carcass as a Cassin's auklet and banded it #320.
January 19, 2015 - unbound
Due to several recent large storms, we noted a much-higher than normal amount of driftwood on the beach, especially towards the North Alsea River Spit. We also noted a higher amount of debris on the beach, mostly bottles and pieces of plastic. Found objects of note included a rusted propane...read more
  • Picture of buoy we found washed up on our mile. We did not find any identifying markers to place its origin.
  • Another angle of the buoy we found washed up on our mile. We did not find any identifying markers to place its origin.
  • Rusted propane tank found on our mile. It was too big for us to remove during our survey.
  • One of the dead shorebirds we encountered during our survey. We identified it as a Northern Fulmar.
  • A dead shorebird we found during our survey. We identified it as a Cassin's Auklet, possibly remaining from the large December wreck.
  • Noted new beach grass planted as part of dune maintenance.
  • Small sampling of some of the debris we found on the beach during our survey. Bucket was found on the beach, but we put it to use right away.

2014

October 26, 2014 - unbound
Several days of big wind and rainstorms brought lots of debris to mile 202/North Alsea Bay. We encountered a greater-than-usual amount of driftwood on the beach as well as big stumps and logs floating in and out in the surf. Lots of plastic and other non-natural debris was in the...read more
  • Dead seabird Cassin's auklet
  • Another dead seabird believed to be a Northern Fulmar.
  • Very large animal carcass of unknown origin. Found washing in and out of the surf amongst driftwood. Unable to identify but definitely had flesh and bones.
  • Big storms brought in way more driftwood than usual to Mile 202. Logs and stumps of various sizes were seen up on the beach as well as floating in the surf.
  • A few pelicans were spotted with a whole lot of gulls down at the end of the Bayshore spit, North Alsea Bay, OR.
  • Shot of debris in the wrack line.
  • A shot of Mile 202 looking south from the north end. Most of the debris was found on the south portion of the mile near the north shore of the Alsea bay.
June 1, 2014 - unbound
Beautiful day for a beach cleanup. Lots of debris in the wrack line, particularly plastic. Found bottles, trash, buoys, micro plastic, straws, etc. Also found a lot of styrofoam and rope.Not a lot of people on the beach. Appeared to be a big family flying kites and playing in the...read more
  • Beach conditions for Bayshore, North Alsea River near Waldport, Oregon on 5/25/2014. Beautiful weather and few people on beach.

2008

June 12, 2008 - dddurrett
Blue sky, sunshine(remember sunshine?)Another perfect day on Mile 202, very peaceful, and again, almost deserted. I posted a new seal pup sign at the entrance at Bashore Beach Club, I had info leaflets about marine wildlife but nobody to give them to.read more
  • Photos taken to the south and north
March 5, 2008 - dddurrett
A perfect day at the beach, blue sky and a cool breeze.I picked up very little litter. Sparce drift line with no garbage. I was approached by a couple from California and they couldn't believe how clean and beautiful the beach was. I explained a little about Coast Watch and...read more

2007

November 5, 2007 - dddurrett
There was the normal amount of logs and tree debris for this time of year. I picked what little litter there was,(hooray-not one plastic water bottle!). After a good two hours on the beach it remained deserted, maybe because of limited access. Overall mile 202 looked very healthy.read more
September 9, 2007 - dddurrett
Beautiful day but very few people on the beach for a Sunday.Very little litter, picked up 1 bag full. Found remnants of small drift wood fire.read more