Report Details

I walked north from Lone Ranch beach, crossing over, I believe, into mile 11/ Cape Ferrelo. All of the people and dogs I observed were clustered in mile 10. Most were on the beach. Two couples sat on rocks, ocean-gazing. A group of three people with two dogs had the dogs off leash near tidepools. Once the beach gave way to rocks, I saw no more people. There were footprints along the trail above the rocky shore. This area had many, many more turban shells on the beach and in the pools. There were dozens of hermit crabs, some tiny and one as large as a silver dollar. They were very active, zooming around. The tide was dropping (low tide would be in about 3 hours). There was a gentle current flowing through most of the pools. I was surprised not to see any small fish or sea stars. I did not venture far out into the tidepool zone due to safety concerns, but there were enough wet, exposed rocks with crevices and kelp that I would have expected to see at least one. I observed a small flock of surfbirds feeding on the kelp-topped tidepool rocks. I had never seen this bird before. They are chunkier than sandpipers and behave like backyard chickens, chasing each other off from feeding spots, vocalizing. They were vigorously mowing through the kelp, plunging their heads into it.In one of the small rocky coves I saw what looks like a truck axle. It appears to have been there for a long time. Litter was not notable. I picked up one (clearly abandoned) plastic turret mold for building sandcastles, and some random bits of plastic cup.

Conditions

Temperature: 59 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Human Activities

Number of people: 15. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 2. Playing in sand: 2. Sitting: 11.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 15.

Notable Wildlife

Observed 2 small crabs in tidepools. Many hermit crabs of different sizes, from tiny as my pinkie fingernail to large as a silver dollar. Flock of 6 or 7 surfbirds feeding on the tidepool rocks, thrusting their heads into the kelp.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.).

Natural Changes

Noted invasive plants in the planted area between parking lot and beach trail. Blackberries and periwinkle stood out.

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All Mile 10 Reports

Showing 8 of 37 reports

Mile 10

April 14, 2021

I walked north from Lone Ranch beach, crossing over, I believe, into mile 11/ Cape Ferrelo.

Lavenne22

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 10

October 2, 2015

Pretty quiet day.

SMathis

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 10

September 4, 2015

Streams have been re-directed through natural modification of beach topography.

SMathis

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 10

April 12, 2015

Nice day to do a survey.

SMathis

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 10

January 28, 2015

No apparent modifications or other changes.

SMathis

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 10

October 12, 2014

Extreme Surf.

SMathis

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 10

September 12, 2014

Nice pleasant day.

SMathis

Mile 10

July 15, 2014

Pleasant but foggy day.

SMathis