Columbia Beach, Coffenbury Lake, Fort Stevens SP - November 2, 2015

Report Details

Overall a nice day, cloudy with some openings of sunshine. Beach scattered with natural material, seaweed, wood, shells, etc. One recently washed up brown pelican (eaten body). Lots of large moon jellies. Ocean rough, large waves and updwelling material. Found 4 small sunfish just north of the Sunset Beach access (not my mile).

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 1. Sitting: 1. Photography: 1. Other Activities: Picnicking. Pretty quiet.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 4. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 3.

Notable Wildlife

One colony of small sandpipers(25), 5 seagulls on beach, 1 group (7) riding the draft along the dunes.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. 1 dead brown pelican, only the head was left (see photo)

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

No dead fish in Mile 335. However, there were 4 baby sunfish north of the Sunset Recreation entrance.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). One piece of styrofoam, all visual plastics were macro. Found 2 very large butter clam shells.

New Development

Steps down bluff. 2 pathways up the bluffs into the dunes (photo)

Actions & Comments

Collected 1 1/2 bags of garbage. A variety of stuff: plastics, 1 bottle, pair of thongs, lots of fishing rope, paper, bottle caps, bait boxes, etc.