Mile 219
North end of Agate Beach, Yaquina Head south
Lincoln County
Longitude: -124.071165314100
Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from the Tillamook County-Lincoln County line (45° 02.6706', Mile 247), southerly to Yaquina Bay (44° 37.0374', Mile 215), except for the following locations within the corporate limits of Lincoln City:
(A) A distance of 150 feet on each side of the westerly extension of North 35th Court;
(B) A distance of 150 feet on each side of the westerly extension of North 15th Street.
2022
Today's observations indicate that the location surveyed is experiencing high levels of human activity. Many people were observed recreating at the site, tidepooling, strolling or sitting quietly to observe the scenery. The location is also an important habitat area for seabirds and shorebirds. Several species are currently nesting and breeding in the...read more
Took a brief walk along Cobble Beach and the small beach at Quarry Cove within Yaquina Head ONA. Weather was sunny and at the time of writing listed as 54 degrees faranheight. No noticable disturbances. Notable wildlife observed included Harbor Seals, Black Oystercatchers, Pelagic and Brant's Cormorants, and Common Murres. read more
No significant changes were observed to the location surveyed. Human use and visitation was low depsite favorable weather conditions. Additionally, the beach was relatively clean with few traces of litter or trash. Microplastics, if present, were not detectable.
Local wildlife appeared relaxed and unaffected by human presence. It is evident that the location...read more
This was a pretty typical day on the beach with the exception of the weather. ~20min of sunshine would give way to ~5min of heavy pouring rain/hail, then would return to clear sunshine again. These intermittent showers helped to clear out visitation and prevent the beach from being overwhelmed on...read more
Shoreline surveyed was found to be relatively unchanged, with below average concentrations of marine debris for this location. Continued presence of resident harbor seal colony confirmed, but few other wildlife sightings were noted. Little evidence of valandalism or litter. Visitors to the beach were strolling or viewing scenery and wildlife.read more
2021
During this survey, I walked the length of Quarry Cove and Cobble Beach within Yaquina Head. It was raining heavily and the tide was exceptionally high. There were a high number of jellyfish washing up on Cobble Beach, but this did not appear to be abnormal due to the heavy...read more
Visitors behaving and being considerate of resource. Usual amount of plastic trash. Large amount of drift wood and logs due to rough seas. Limited beach access due to high tide at time of report. Winter beach steep slope.read more
Fog and low visibility were evident during today's survey. Low number of visitors at both beaches as well.read more
3 dead murres were identified at Cobble Beach. 2 of the remains appeared to be chicks and 1 of them was tagged by COASST. It was relatively calm for a Friday afternoon, as there weren't many visitors at either of the beaches. read more
Walked along the wrack line at Quarry Cove and Cobble Beach after low tide exposure concluded. Did not observe anything out of the ordinary at either locations and amount of trash was low compared to previous wrack walks. read more
Walked along Quarry Cove and Cobble Beach at Yaquina Head. In addition to seeing live common murres, harbor seals, and cormorants, remains of a dead seal pup and 2 dead murres along with cracked murre egg at Cobble Beach were also located. read more
Walked the length of Quarry Cove beach as well Cobble Beach, and did not observe anything irregular. I observed multiple visitors recreating on the beaches, but few were staying in such spaces for long due to cold and overcast weather. read more
Walked the Quarry Cove and Cobble Beach stretches of coastline within the park, and observed various park visitors interacting with the resource safely and respectfully. Observed various different types of trash washing up on both beaches, and while no singal piece was large, there was a large quantity today (shards...read more
The most important observations were the large but superficial rock slide at Quarry Cove and the relatively high concentrations of jellies and pyrosomes in the wrack line.read more
2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the park has been closed to all traffic (vehicle and non-vehicle). Despite this closure, there were 2 non-compliant walkers who were observed walking on paved roads through the park. With minimal human activity on the headland due to the park's closure, there has been a noticable...read more
2019
There were about 50 people exploring Cobble Beach: playing with children, taking pictures, looking through the wrack and shore line, and a couple surfers closer to Agate Beach. 13 birds along the cobbles, mostly cormorants with other unidentidfied species as well (too far along in decomposition for positive identification). Small and recent...read more
2018
During the survey there were 105 people and two dogs on the beach. 38 cars, 10 SUVs, 4 Pickups, and 2 RVs were recorded in the parking area at the end of the survey. There was a great deal of algae present in the wrack line. One notable find was...read more
We discovered a black oystercatcher nest at the far east side of our beach along the cliff side. Once chick has since hatched.read more
2017
Sunny day, moderate wind from NW. 3 surfers, 12 runner/walkers, 2 playing in sand. Two dead Common Murres. Construction going on for Ernest Block Wayside.read more
2016
Cloudy day after major rain event. Only one couple walking. Sandstone and basalt boulders on beach. Lucky Gap Trail stairs (south end) awash. Nice stairs being built north end of beach.read more
Beautiful sunny day, ~65F with light wind from the NNW. Noon visit at high tide at ~7'. Saw 13 people on the shore/in the water, mostly surfers. The summer sand buildup is in place with only larger pieces of wood remaining on the beach.read more
Arrival of ocean seabirds which nest on the rocks at this site is significant; usually seals are evident along with pups; this is a popular site for tidal pools. Usually sighted are eagles and Black oystercatchers, missing this visit. Casual observation did not find evidence of immature sea star recruitment,...read more
Yaquina Head Lighthouse is always interesting, there is an abundance of marine observation available to the casual observer: tidepools, seabirds, mammals. This day there was hail, thunder, lightning and gale force winds.There was increased amount of small driftwood in most tidepools not observed on previous visits. Other than decaying sea...read more
Winter storms have pushed sizable wood up above the average high tide mark. Flooding has generated additional seeps and overloaded the Agate Beach sewage facility prompting hazard notices on Lucky Gap Trail down to the beach. Cool (48F) and cloudy, one person and one dead gull noted about an hour...read more
A lovely day at Yaquina Lighthouse tidal area. The geologic collection of offshore rocks permitted a wonderful view of the many exciting marine wildlife. Although there were a few 8-10 yr. old sea stars, there were no visible young sea stars. The Blue heron was unusual for me, oystercatchers lovely,...read more
2015
I reached this mile via the Lucky Gap Beach wayside access. As is usual in the past 3 or 4 years, the area just before you reach the stairs to the beach was flooded--usually the flooding lasts about a week after a medium to heavy rain. There are also steps...read more
This was a gorgeous sunny afternoon at Yaquina Lighthouse tidepool area. Absent and no sign of recovery were sea stars; BLM guides mentioned apparent distress with urchins. Few birds and one seal sunning. Human activities were well within respect for the treasures. Beach driftline was high and no unusual debris...read more
| SUMMARY | Two people on beach, one surfing, one enjoying a beer and the scenery. Small patchy wood in drift line. No birds or mammals observed. 'Little Creek' flowing close to bluff. | |
Eleanor Siebers called from the BLM Yaquina Head Interpretive Center to report a wood chunk with mussels found yesterday on Cobble Beach of Yaquina Head (30 Sept. 2015) by “Lucia." It is local - NOT Japanese marine tsunami debris (JTMD). However, it was very good that I could have a...read more
2014
Day partly sunny, about 2 hrs before high tide, south face of headland inaccessible. One extended family on beach; two photographers, mostly pics of each other. Five dead birds, four likely Cassin's auklet. First guess on fifth to be cormorant. First survey, unable to observe change.read more
