Mile 265 Report

March 27, 2021
by aricatierradelmar

Location:
Tillamook
South Spit, Sand Lake
Conditions:
Saturday 11:15 AM
Sunny
55° F
Tide Level:
6.9 ft
Humans / Pets:
People:
20
Dogs:
7
Activities:
Walking / Running:
18
Sitting:
2
Concerns:
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Cars/Trucks parking:
0
ATVs/OHVs parking:
0
RVs/Buses parking:
RVs/Buses parking: 0
Cars/Trucks on beach, allowed:
0
ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed:
0
Cars/Trucks on beach, prohibited:
0
ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited:
0
Activity Comments:
Most people were in small groups and most dogs were surprisingly leashed. I didn't notice any human activity like left behind trash, fires or foot prints in the Snowy Plover site.
Notable Wildlife:
I actually didn't see any wildlife accept for two crows.
Dead Birds:
Total:
0
Species/names:
N/A
Stranded:
Total:
0
N/A
Fish & Invertebrates:
Driftline:
Small rocks·Kelp or Algae·Shells·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Wood pieces·Styrofoam·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)
On the northern part of this stretch I often find and did find on this walk larger items that wash up like crab pots, helmets, pieces of a boat and don't often see microplastics.
New Development:
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Erosion of vegetated foredune
There were 'sand cliffs' that developed after the large winter storms and king tides that were probably like 8 feet tall on average. They certainly pushed back the dune grass that was on them. We are starting to see those soften up and return to a more beach like formation.
Comments:
Summary:

Not a lot of people out for a saturday during spring break. People seemed to be keeping to themselves and dogs were on leash or stayed with their group. I was surprised that I didn't see more microplastic like we see in Pacific City but it seems that the currents only bring larger items to this stretch like giant trees that had washed up. 

  • Spring Fashion: Hard hat washed up with a new vegetated top
    March 27, 2021
  • Dunes looking less like a cliff and more like a beach after the winter storms.
    March 27, 2021
  • Signage up for North End of Tierra del Mar beach
    March 27, 2021
  • Foam piece of a chair/boat washed up and looks like someone put it up in the dunes so it wouldn't wash back out.
    March 27, 2021
Other Mile 265 Reports (2)

2021

February 9, 2021 - rbourke
Damage to the dunes and vegitation at the north end of Sitka Sedge Natural Area was observed due to joy riding with large off-road capable vehicles. 
read more

2020

September 19, 2020 - aricatierradelmar
There has been an increase in people using this beach due to the lack of parking on the beach in Pacific City, a more general awareness of Tierra del Mar, and more access trails from Sitka Sedge....
read more