Mile 109 - Whisky Run, Fivemile Pt, south end Merchants Beach - December 25, 2008

Report Details

Initially there was a layer of light sea foam over much of the beach; most had disintegrated within an hour. Very light (5) human use on a day with rotten weather but mesmerizing lighting conditions. Just a couple dozen stalwart gulls waiting for the incoming storm, plus four Black Turnstones.

Conditions

Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Strong. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 5. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. Sitting: 2. Windsurfing: 2. One guy was having a (harmless) blast zipping around the beach through the thick foam in a Suzuki sidekick. One group came to surf, took one look, and wisely decided to wade through the foam and walk on the beach instead.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1.

Notable Wildlife

4 birds (not oystercatchers) browsing barnacle-covered rocks (see photo.)

Driftline Content

Huge billows of natural sea foam being blown around by the wind.

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Newly exposed roots/trees falling.

Actions & Comments

A layer of sea foam was completely covering the beach in some places.