Mile 214 - South Beach SP, South Jetty Yaquina River - November 29, 2017

Report Details

November 29th was glorious weather at sunrise, and the birdlife abundant in Mile 214, Sanderling, Dunlin, and Snowy Plover. The high tide line was littered with tunicates. Large and small piles of kelp scattered the beach and provided good cover for the snowy plover. We also saw 5 dead and difficult to identify birds, we think were Cassin's Auklets. We were two of a total of four people on the beach from 8-10am.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SE. Tide Level: 8.3 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 4. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. Photography: 2.

Concerns

Disturbances: Shorebirds moving in response to humans/dogs

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Sixteen snowy plover near Day Use area. Hundreds of Sanderling, at least two Dunlin. Two loon and a pair of Scoter at the jetty.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 5. Difficult to tell, but they had blue legs and the size and coloring of a Cassin's Auklet. Spread over mile 214.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces. The high tide line of Mile 214 was lined with Tunicates, from 1 to 5 inches long.

Actions & Comments

Even though the tide was going out by 10am, several sneaker waves chased us all the way to the dunes. A man searching for shells near the waves was drenched, but lucky.