Report Details

In previous years, I have observed many more sanderlings than this visit, which maybe just a sampling issue. As mentioned, I did observe two dead or dying Franklin's gulls. One had been dead for at least 24 hours and the other was acting very strangely by sitting in the surf without significant movement even when I approached within 20 feet (the usual startle distance that I observe). As mentioned, the mouth of Tahkenitch Creek had moved north by approximately 50 feet since 2013 with an added meander of the slough to the east.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Walking or running: 2. Some evidence of OHV use in the recent past near the Tahkenitch Creek outlet and near ocean sand. This area is closed during the Snowy plover nesting and fledging period but damage to the flat sandy nesting area can occur at any time of the year.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Notable Wildlife

Two dead or dying Franklin's gull were observed. Dozens of common gulls or various species were observed near the mouth of Tahkenitch and along the wet sandy beach.Several families of sanderlings were observed intermittently along the wet sandy beach near tideline.Three Canada geese were observed walking the beach.Several dozen brown pelicans were observed near the surf or congregating at the mouth Tahkenitch Creek.One Snowy egret was observed in the Tahkenitch slough.One bald eagle was observed in the dunes east of the slough.A pair of coyote tracks were observed on the beach and flat sand between the beach and the slough.Approximately six harbor seals were observed patrolling the surf in ten feet of water.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam.

Natural Changes

Tahkenitch Creek mouth moved by 50 feet since previous year.

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All Mile 155 Reports

Showing 8 of 18 reports

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 155

October 13, 2018

ploverlover

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 155

July 1, 2018

I first adopted this mile in 1995.

ploverlover

Mile 155

September 25, 2017

marcus

Mile 155

October 12, 2016

Overcast following morning fog.

marcus

Mile 155

October 11, 2016

Warm, sunny day with the wind from the NE at 10-15 mph.

marcus

Mile 155

October 10, 2016

An overcast day with light wild (10mph) from NW.

marcus

Mile 155

October 9, 2016

Clear, sunny day with 20 mph wind from southwest and 3 foot waves.

marcus

Mile 155

October 5, 2015

Takenitch creek and its associated estuary contained much lower water flow than in previous years with the outlet to the ocean approximately 10 feet wide and 1 foot deep (see pix).

marcus