Mile 117 Report
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
August 26, 2007
The beach is only partially accessible along this mile.
Report Details
The beach is only partially accessible along this mile. Most people stay on the cliffs. Heavy driftline of eel-/surfgrass and kelp in the North Cove. Animal casings, kelp/algae, small rocks, wood and some ocean-based debris in the driftline. Several different kinds of anemones on the rocks. Many Red-necked Phalaropes foraging on beach and in shallow water. Ruddy Turnstones and Western Gulls on rock and beach. Juvenile Northern Elephant seal on beach. Considerable Gray Whale activity visible from the North Cove cliffs. Low human impact on beach (0).
Conditions
Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Notable Wildlife
Gray Whales, Juvenile Northern Elephant Seal, Aggregating Anemone, Burrowing Anemone, Green Surf Anemone, Turkey Vulture, 2 Osprey, Western gulls, Red-necked Phalarope, Ruddy Turnstones, NOTE: Dave and Diane Bilderback identified the birds (We were not familiar with the Phalarope or Turnstones, but know them now), the anemone varieties (We should be able to distinguish those now.), and the juvenile Northern Elephant Seal as a seal rather than as a sea-lion.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Small rocks, Wood pieces.
Actions & Comments
Just started so we now have a baseline to work from and will be able to report significant changes.
Report Images
Pat&RobertaSmit
CoastWatcher
All Mile 117 Reports
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
North Cove of Cape Arago was fairly clean of debris other than boat hull on north end.
Jhorse
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
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
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
The tide was very low indeed (photos 1&2).
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Had to observe from the cliff tops owing to very muddy, slippery approaches to the North Cove.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
Two dead sea lions in the North Cove (reported to Stranding Network), otherwise nothing unusual.
Pat&RobertaSmit
Mile 117
Cape Arago, Drake Point, North Cove
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