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MILE 171 on 12/18/08   -   OLDMGGUY LOCATION Lane  •  Heceta Beach South, almost to North Jetty CONDITIONS Thursday 1:30 PM  •  Rain  •  36° F  •  Wind: Moderate from the W HUMANS People: 6  •  Dogs: 0 ACTIVITIES Walking/running: 1  •  Sitting: 5 CONCERNS DISTURBANCES VEHICLES Cars/Trucks parking: 5 ACTIV.COMMENTS Most visitors were sitting in the cars, waiting out the afternoon rain/snow squall passing thru at the time. NOTABLE WILDLIFE Large numnbers of gulls (100's) flying south along the open beach line in a continuous stream. Approximately 8-9 flights of brown pelicans (6-12 birds per flight) also flying south. Gulls, crows, and several large flocks of semipalmated plovers and sanderlings feeding in the surf. Cormorants and bufflehead ducks feeding in the Siuslaw River DEAD BIRDS Total: 1  •  Species/names: juvenile gull STRANDED FISH & INVERTS Several dozen small 3-6" Sea Nettle and about a dozen large (+/- 12") moon jellies washed up at the high tide line along the length of Mile 171. DRIFTLINE Shells  •  Animal casings  •  Kelp/Algae  •  Wood pieces  •  Ocean-based debris Several large balls of bull kelp washed up, along with surf grass, palm kelp and numerous single strands of bull kelp along the NEW DEVELOPMENT MODIFICATIONS NATURAL CHANGES COMMENTS Continuous stream of 100's of gulls, with many brown pelicans mixed in, flying south along the surf line. Several large flocks of sanderlings and semipalmated plovers working their way south while feeding. The mile had a lot of individual bull kelp strands washed up, along with several very large bull kelp tangles. The multi-year collection of shells is starting to emerge as the sand migrates off-shore. Lots of new razor clam shells showing up. An unusual buoy of some sort has just washed ashore about 100 yards north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. It is a roughly 18" by 36" cylindical shape, with a central 6" vertical open tube. No markings, but it is definitely not a crab pot or navigational buoy. Recent tire tracks by the buoy indicate the State Parks beach ranger has already checked out the new arrival. SUMMARY Continuous stream of 100's of gulls, with many brown pelicans mixed in, flying south along the surf line. Several large flocks of sanderlings and semipalmated plovers working their way south while feeding. The mile had a lot of individual bull kelp strands washed up, along with several very large bull kelp tangles. The multi-year collection of shells is starting to emerge as the sand migrates off-shore. Lots of new razor clam shells showing up. An unusual buoy of some sort has just washed ashore about 100 yards north of the Siuslaw River North Jetty. It is a roughly 18" by 36" cylindical shape, with a central 6" vertical open tube. No markings, but it is definitely not a crab pot or navigational buoy. Recent tire tracks by the buoy indicate the State Parks beach ranger has already checked out the new arrival. OBSERVER oldMGguy EMAIL   •  REPORT PUBLISHED 12/18/08 7:28 PM PHOTOS PRINTER-FRIENDLY ©2013 Oregon Shores •  CONTACT US