Mile 315 Report
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
November 29, 2009
Weather was spectacular, so lots of people were taking advantage to walk on beach.
Report Details
Weather was spectacular, so lots of people were taking advantage to walk on beach. Then there were the two idiots who were swimming in deep water on an outgoing tide! The beach itself was swept almost completely bare by the recent storms and high tides. Only tiny bits of plastic were in the driftline. All the logs had been tossed high up on the beach. Crescent Beach was unusually lacking in live birds. I saw only one gull sitting on a rock, and one redtail hawk soaring next to the trees on the cliffside. I found three dead fulmars on Chapman Beach, but again, no live birds. The California sea lion was found on another walk, 11/1/09.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 28. Walking or running: 28. Playing in surf: 2. Had to stop and watch the two guys in the water to make sure they didn't get swept out to sea! They were out quite far, up to their necks, swimming and diving through the waves. It was cooling down at the time, probably in the high 40s. They were at the Chapman Beach part of the mile, not Crescent Beach. The tide was still receding.
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 3. All three were fulmars. I understand the recent storms have been really hard on them.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. Young male California sea lion, apparently sick with leptospriosis, on banks of Ecola Creek, Cannon Beach. Was identified by Dr. Debby Duffield of Portland State University. Came upon it at the end of the Chapman Point portion of our CoastWatch mile walk on Nov. 1, 2009. Not strictly on our mile, but a significant find, nevertheless. Dr. Duffield said it had a good chance of recovering from the disease, as it was drinking fresh water, which is helpful to its kidneys.
Driftline Content
Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Wood pieces. Big logs thrown up very high on beach by big surf.
Natural Changes
Small (1x1') rock fell from cliff, bounced off logs and settled onto the rocks on Crescent Beach. Glad I wasn't in its path. Also recent rockfall was noticed at cove at Chapman Point.
Report Images
Beachie47
CoastWatcher
All Mile 315 Reports
Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
Lots of tide pooling activity because of the -1.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
Quiet day on the beach, minimal visitors.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
A resident was walking from Chapman Point toward the river when two dogs, a husky and a black lab, ran up to her, barking and chasing her.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
Beautiful day to hike in to Crescent Beach.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
Quite a few people enjoying a Sunday morning walk on the beach at low tide, able to walk to Crescent Beach via the sand bridge by the first Bird Rock.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
A tourist attempted to climb the west end of the first Bird Rock at Chapman Point for a photo opportunity, flushing two black oystercatcher parents from their nest and away from their chicks.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
Hiked in and out to Crescent Beach.
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Mile 315
Chapman Beach north, Chapman Point, Ecola SP
Most of the people on Crescent Beach hiked over before low tide.
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