Mile 300 [views_conditional]

November 27, 2023
by Schwegmann

Location::
Tillamook
Manzanita Beach, Manzanita, Neahkahnie Beach
Conditions::
Sunny
50° F
Wind:
Calm/Light from the N
Tide Level:
9.8 ft
Humans / Pets::
People:
29
Dogs:
8
Activities::
Walking / Running:
23
Sitting:
3
1 kite flyer
Concerns::
Disturbances::
Vehicles::
Cars/Trucks parking:
2
Activity Comments::
Most folks just out walking their dogs or walking themselves. The first weekday after a holiday weekend, so a much quieter beach.
Notable Wildlife::
Dead Birds::
Total:
4
Species/names:
2 COMU (cormorant), 1 juvenile and 1 adult. Parts of what look like a WEGU (western gull). Parts of other birds, wings and some bones. And big shock, a Peregrine Falcon! The falcon looked recently deceased. On the walk back down the beach it was gone, though the tide was going out. It had no evidence of injury - no blood, etc. Oddly I could not tell if the eyes had been eaten out or not.
Stranded::
Fish & Invertebrates::
Driftline::
Small rocks·Kelp or Algae·Shells·Animal casings (e.g. crab, shrimp molt)·Wood pieces·Land-based debris (picnics, etc.)·Plastic pellets·Styrofoam·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)
multiple wrack lines with all types of debris.
New Development::
recent king tides and heavier rains have carved out trenches where drainage empties onto beach.
Modifications::
Natural Changes::
Comments::
Summary::

It was a beautiful morning on the last day of the "bonus" king tides in November. A typical Monday morning - not crowded like it had been over the Thanksgiving weekend. The beach was pretty clean! LOTS of dead jellies, mostly sea nettles and the clear small jellies, gooseberries I believe they are called. The streams / drainage areas were not flowing as much since it has been dry weather. The warm weather had a few folks sitting in the sun, one kite enthusiast was flying a shark shaped kite. Lots of burned wood - some driftwood burned and then many bits of blackened firewood from bonfires. This went along the entire mile about 10-20 feet from the dunes. 

The biggest shock was finding a deceased Peregrine Falcon! The body was deposited by the recent high tide and there were no signs of injury or blood. 

  • Deceased Peregrine Falcon on mile 300 Oregon
    Deceased Peregrine Falcon on mile 300 Oregon, full body.
    mile 300 in the tide line.
    November 27, 2023
  • Deceased Peregrine Falcon feet on mile 300 Oregon
    Deceased Peregrine Falcon feet on mile 300 Oregon
    mile 300 in the tide line
    November 27, 2023
  • Deceased Peregrine Falcon face on mile 300 Oregon
    Deceased Peregrine Falcon face on mile 300 Oregon. Beak with both eye sockets.
    mile 300 in the tide line
    November 27, 2023
  • Deceased Peregrine Falcon side view on mile 300 Oregon
    Deceased Peregrine Falcon side view on mile 300 Oregon. Close up of eye socket & beak.
    mile 300 in the tide line.
    November 27, 2023
  • Mile 300 looking south shortly after high tide
    Mile 300 looking south shortly after high tide
    mile 300 north point
    November 27, 2023
  • Mile 300 looking north after walking about 38 minutes
    Mile 300 looking north after walking about 38 minutes
    mile 300 south point
    November 27, 2023
  • Mile 300 drainage / creek at north end
    Mile 300 drainage / creek at north end
    mile 300 north end, looking south
    November 27, 2023
  • Mile 300 tree stump
    Mile 300 tree stump. This stump has been on the beach for at least 3 or 4 years!
    mile 300
    November 27, 2023