Mile 197 - San Marine, Tillicum Beach, Tillicum Beach CG - August 14, 2014

Report Details

Went down the mile at around 4:30 p.m., just after high tide, at the end of a mostly foggy day in response to the request to look out for the endangered sea turtle that was recently encountered in Florence. Alas, no turtle. 15 adults and 7 children were observed, along with one leashed dog and one unleashed. 3 kids were climbing the cliffs and carving into them. When I asked them to come down and quit carving, they complied, and we had a pleasant conversation about why such defacing is prohibited, and then about how high the tides come up, what a nice area this is, etc. There were several large flocks of sanderlings (I think) along with a few dowitchers (maybe) feeding at the edge of the water. A modest scattering of pebbles and a bright green seaweed in small clumps predominated on the surface of the beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Human Activities

Number of people: 22. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 17. Playing in sand: 2. Other Activities: Carving cliffs - 3. I spoke with the kids on the cliffs and asked them to stop carving and come down. They were responsive and we had a pleasant conversation about why that activity is prohibited and then about how high the tide comes up on the beach, etc.

Concerns

Climbing bluffs/seastacks

Apparent violations: 3 kids were carving into the cliffs..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Generous numbers of sandpipers and slightly larger birds with long down-curving beaks were feeding in the surf line.

Driftline Content

Small rocks. Small clumps of bright green seaweed