Report Details

During pupping season the North Cove is closed. In addition, the Center Cove is not easily accessible, so all observations were from the cliff tops.Seasonal bird changes include the return of Turkey Vultures and Pelicans, and the departure of the Harlequin Ducks. On almost every visit we see a single Great Blue Heron fishing in the north cove pools. Many Violet Green Swallows and Western Gulls. From the cliff tops we saw no Black Oystercatchers although there are usually quite a few in the north cove. Six Harbor Seals with pups on beach. Many sea lions in water and on rocks. One of the sea lions on the rocks at the south end of the north cove had a fishing lure stuck (hooked) in its mouth. (See attached photo)This was reported by Diane and Dave Bilderback to the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Moderate human impact (10), looking at sea from cliff tops.

Conditions

Temperature: 71 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 10. The people we saw were all looking out at the sea from the cliff tops.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 8.

Notable Wildlife

2 Turkey Vultures6 Harbor seals with pups on beachMany sea lions in water and on rocksMany Pelicans1 Great Blue HeronMany Violet green swallowsMany Western gulls

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. Sea lion with fishing lure in its mouth. The animal was having a hard time snoozing. Every time it nodded off the lure would catch on the rocks and its head would jerk up like a person caught nodding off at the opera. Photograph included.

Driftline Content

No Comment because no access this time of year

Actions & Comments

No access to north cove at this time of year.From the cliff-top we did not see anything unusual.The heavy drift-line (feet thick in some places) was washed away over the winter and has not returned.

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All Mile 117 Reports

Showing 8 of 17 reports

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 117

October 19, 2014

North Cove of Cape Arago was fairly clean of debris other than boat hull on north end.

Jhorse

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 117

December 17, 2011

Not much to report.

Pat&RobertaSmit

Mile 117

August 7, 2011

Here’s how things went: As we clamber down into the North Cove, a magnificent Osprey rises from the water right under our noses.

Pat&RobertaSmit

Mile 117

June 19, 2011

The tide was very low indeed (photos 1&2).

Pat&RobertaSmit

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 117

March 6, 2011

Not much activity.

Pat&RobertaSmit

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 117

December 4, 2010

Had to observe from the cliff tops owing to very muddy, slippery approaches to the North Cove.

Pat&RobertaSmit

Mile 117

September 19, 2010

Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.

Pat&RobertaSmit

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 117

June 20, 2010

The North Cove is closed in the Spring during the Harbor Seal and Elephant Seal pupping season, so we were not able to walk the beach.

Pat&RobertaSmit