Mile 213 - Henderson Creek, South Beach SP south - May 9, 2016

Report Details

Very low tide which presented an uncluttered beach. Very little activity on the beach by people. Several large groups of shorebirds. Driftline in one area had lots of trees which seemed to have been thrown up right near the fence by winter storms. Seafoam prevalent and thick in some areas. Permit signs/concrete stairway seen replacing wooden steps destroyed in winter storms. Erosion area south of Henderson Creek & just north of Surfland housing showed undercutting of dunes. Lots of colored plastic pieces along with tops of containers & one encrusted scrub brush possibly from the tsunami.

Conditions

Temperature: 57 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 4.

Concerns

Apparent violations: none.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3.

Notable Wildlife

Lots of shorebirds in large groups for a rough estimate of 350. Looked like sandpipers & perhaps plovers. 34 gulls and 3 crows also seen.

Driftline Content

Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea). Amazingly very little styrofoam but lots of colored plastic pieces. Kelp not prevalent & some crab casings & a sand doll

New Development

Steps down bluff. Concrete with permit sign -- see photos

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff. Landslides/major boulder falls; Erosion south of Henderson Creek showing more erosion. See photos.