Mile 333 - Columbia Beach, Camp Rilea MR - November 11, 2009

Report Details

Veterans Day. I hiked the mile between squalls. Steady south wind and scuttling clouds; wide band of breakers with < 1 m waves at beach. There has been storms and high surf since my last trip, and the strand line near the base of the dune (10-20 m width) is littered with woody debris. Some large trunks and root wads. A few were festooned with goose barnacles, indicating they had been at sea for some time. Unfortunately, there was quite a lot of plastic bottles and other debris as well. All labels were English; most objects appeared recent (not biofouled). There were three long-dead, half buried birds, and only a few live gulls wheeling about. No other animals or hikers, just a few vehicles driving by. Nice elemental feel to the air. Got back to the car just as the next downpour began.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Human Activities

Just a few people driving by.

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

2 gulls briefly in swash zone, otherwise devoid of animals.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 3. All well seasoned. Looked like gulls.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Mostly large plastic objects

Man-made Modifications

Dune modification/removal. Beach access over dune is well-rutted

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune.