Mile 125 Report

May 6, 2010
by rubygoes

Location:

Coos

North Beach on North Spit Coos Bay

Conditions:

Thursday 11:30 AM

Sunny

67° F

Wind:

Calm/Light from the W

Tide Level:

3.0 ft

Humans / Pets:

People:

Dogs:

Activities:

BLM patrol

Concerns:

Litter

Apparent Violations:

none

Disturbances:

Vehicles:

Cars/Trucks parking:

ATVs/OHVs parking:

Activity Comments:

BLM ranger Theresa Bolch on patrol with seasonal assistant, Morgan. They had filled their vehicle with recyclable litter from mile 125, while checking on thearea set aside for Snowy Plover nesting. BLM did notuse orange plastic fencing this year, but placed stakesabout every 300 feet warning people away. The two trucks hauling ATVs were traveling on the sand roadlegally. I do not know their destination, but the beach is well posted at both ends that there may be no motorized vehicles until Sept. 15.

Notable Wildlife:

A few gulls in flight. A flock of 7Semipalmated Sandpipers temporarilymoved away from my horse. They were closely followed by 2 Sanderlings.

Dead Birds:

Total:

Stranded:

Total:

Fish & Invertebrates:

The waterline left a trail of broken sand dollars, clam shells, and crab shells both whole a broken. Small black rocks, volcanic looking. A few prettystones.

Driftline:

Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Land-based debris (picnics, etc.)·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)·Plastic pellets·Shells·Small rocks·Styrofoam

2 tires, 2 pallets, an assortment of light bulbs. Plastics of all types, and many glass bottles. Whiskey decanters.

New Development:

Modifications:

none

Natural Changes:

Erosion of vegetated foredune

Comments:

BLM employees I encountered agreed with me that Miles125 and 126 seem to catch most of the trash on the beach. These miles are the 2 closest to the North Jettyon the North Spit. The current seems to concentrate ahorrific amount of trash here. I have spoken to a SOLVrepresentative about holding a pickup day here, and also a supervisor for State Parks, but the overridingproblem is transportation of workers to this area. I will contact Theresa Bolch to see if BLM has any way to do this. A local Boy Scout troop, for instance, could really make a difference if they adopted thesemiles for regular litter pickup.

Summary:

May 6th was as perfect a day as Nature can provide for enjoying our beautiful Oregon Coastline: cobalt blue sea, waves to 3", picture perfect waves crashing into blazingly brilliant white surf, all enjoyed at low tide. A flock of 7 Semipalmated Sandpipers, closely followed by twoSanderlings. Other than a few gulls, the birdlife was elsewhere today. Snowy Plover habitat marked by signs and stakes. Shells, animal casings(crab),broken sand dollars, Styrofoam, and land- and ocean-based debris in the driftline. Sadly, Miles 125 and 126 seem to catch more than their share of trash. I spoke with BLM veteran Theresa Bolch during my ride. She and her seasonal assistant, Morgan, had picked up all the recyclables in that stretch only the day before, and yet high tide had planted a whole new crop of every conceivableplastic as well as 2 pallets, 2 tires, 8 whiskey decanters of one type, and buckets. I disabled the buckets by removing their bails, then collected 2 bags to haul home on my saddle. Most curious and confounding was the plethora of large red light bulbs, as well as mercury vapor bulbs and florescents, and small incandescents. It seems these would be tempting for a sea mammal to taste, and the results would be terrible. The Coastal Conference, beginning withthe slide show/lecture by photographer Gary Braasch, was so informative and well done. Thepresentation by Lincoln City Mayor Lori Hollingsworth was inspiring...how one town with smart leadership and determination can reduce its carbon footprint. And the new movie just out, "Oceans", is a must-see for all Coast Watchers, and anyone who cares about this earth...our only home.

Other Mile 125 Reports (9)

2013

January 17, 2013 - rubygoes

A perfect day at the beach. Miles 125 and 126 were wide and appeared swept clean at low tide. Walking along the bluff, however, there was a great deal of plastic debris, mostly bottles and jugs....

2012

September 9, 2012 - rubygoes

Miles 124 and 125 were much cleaner than usual. There was an absence of any rope or nets. Orange Styrofoam chunks were plentiful, as were aqua blue Styrofoam pieces, most approx. 1x1' size. Not...

2011

December 17, 2011 - rubygoes

This was an eventful Coast Watch excursion. The1945 wreck of the George Olsen was still visible,due to little storm activity at the time of myvisit on 12/17. Other than two very large treetrunks...

September 19, 2011 - rubygoes

9/19 was spectacularly beautiful, perfect for a Coast Watch report. No other people on the beach. I am puzzled by thousands of tiny jellyfish that ride up onto the beach with every wave. They...

June 20, 2011 - rubygoes

June 20 was an absolutely beautiful day with a very low tide that made riding there on the hard sand a joy. And I had the beach to myself...not another soul to be seen. ATV tracks in the Snowy...

2010

September 26, 2010 - rubygoes

Miles 124 and 125, those just north of the north jetty on Coos Bay, must certainly retain their title of the filthiest miles in Oregon. Litter pick up here is like trying to drain the ocean with a...

March 7, 2010 - rubygoes

The wreck of the George Olson, that 2008 smash sensation, lay covered up last year, but now it's back. Not too impressive, but there. Its one visible side stands 4' at the bow, 2' at the stern....

2009

December 19, 2009 - rubygoes

12/19 was supposed to be stormy, but instead gave us a warm 56 high temp. and a partially sunnyday. Although the tide was outgoing, the surf wasso high that I did not risk exploring all of 126.My...

2008

March 12, 2008 - flotsam

This mile appears to be unadopted. I submit this report to provide some photos of the wreck of the purported George L. Olson.