Join Island County Beach Watchers as they explore and survey the rich intertidal zone.

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Friday, August 15, 2008

Mabana Beach - August 15, 2008

Sandy Beach

Stuck in sand

BW crew and friends

Critter searching

Ghost shrimp

Bryozoan

The last beach of the 2008 season, Mabana Beach monitoring began at 9:30 AM with Barbara B. and Pete D. setting the lines for a long, sandy march down to the low tide expected an hour later. For those Beach Watchers who had not been to this beach previously, it offered a new experience of searching for critters in a very sandy environment. In the upper areas there were few findings at all, but as we marched seaward we soon found large areas of ghost shrimp, the usual baby crabs immersed in seaweed, a Bryozoan (new to most of us) and a Sand lance. At one point we had to admit that we might possibly be leaving our boots or shoes for next years search teams; several of us had to be pulled out of the sand. Cathy announced the final success of a handheld recorder and Pete announced the completion of another season. We also shared our findings with neighbors from this beach area who welcomed us again with their enthusiasm and from whom the pictures were taken. Thanks, Carol L.

Back at Barbara's place with Wes presiding over us all, we declared the summer a blustery one, mild in temperatures with lots of rainy days and ourselves exhausted.

Thanks to all Beach Watchers for their help for the whole season and to Pete for guiding us along.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Sunny Shores Beach - August 14, 2008

Beach monitoring at Sunny Shores

Sunny Shore shoreline

BW teaming


The BW met at 0830 by Sally G.'s garage. Our new BW coordinator, Sarah Martin, came to participate and learn more about bio-monitoring. Monem (Professor-Dr Mahmoud Abel Monem) brought his water quality assessment kit to demonstrate this process of water testing as part of this beach event. Our group of 11 worked their way down to the beach (see year 2007 for the terrain!) where we expected a low tide of -0.7 feet at about 1030am.

We located our starting (reference) point and sighted the landmark dock on the opposite shore of Port Susan, guided by Bill B. What did we find on the beach?

In the first 60 feet, which is a mix of sand, gravel and cobble, we found amphipods, barnacles, a few clams, crabs (Hemigrapsus), limpets, isopods, mussels and snails (Littorina and Nucella). Seaweeds were only of the green variety. The next 300 feet are sand with some silt mixed in. This area was pocketed with clam and ghost shrimp holes. Most holes had wisps of green weed and some were being occupied by beach crabs. We also noted eagles, crows, and gulls and King Fishers in the area.

Following the recording of data, Monem deomonstrated and performed the several water quality measurements that he is equipped for: salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, phosphates, nitrates, and fecal coliform.

Afterwards we gathered up the gear and adjourned to the deck at Skip's house for foods and talk; this day proved to be very interesting for all.

Thanks to Monem for his demo and to beach captain Skip I. for this report. Photos were taken by S. Martin and S. Ingraham. Collated by Judi McD.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Pebble Beach - August 1, 2008

892;897
898;899

A group of twelve Beach Watchers and two guests were captained by Pete D. on Friday, August 1, starting at 9:25 am to perform intertidal monitoring at Pebble Beach. A handheld was employed to supplement hard copy data recording. A profile line to 160 feet and nine quadrats were set. Monitoring ended at 11:25 a.m. on a –2.7 foot tide. Invertebrate species types found in abundance included; crabs , snails, chiton, barnacles, clams, mussels, limpets, polychetes, anemones, isopods, and sea stars. Crabs found this year included shore, Hemigrapsus nudus, and hermit, Hemigrapus oregonensis , crabs. H. nudis, commonly called the purple shore crab has purple spots on its claws and its walking legs are hairless, while H. oregonensis the green shore crab, is very similar in appearance to H. nudis, except it has no spots on its claws and has tiny bristly hairs on its walking legs. The hermit crabs, Pagurus, climb through tidepools dragging their living quarters along with them. Molluscs at this beach are diverse again this year including Mopalia, Tectura persona, Mytillus trossulus, Littoriana sitkana, Littoriana scutulata, and Nucella lamellosa.

Two enjoyable finds this year included this sea star, 327.csn and the ghost shrimp, 308.csn Beneath the surface, the crustaceans Neotrypaea californiensis carves out u-shaped tunnels that may reach two feet below the surface before ascending to a second opening, allowing for water circulation. Ghost shrimp grow to about 4 inches in length and are a ghostly hue of pinkish orange. Similar to previous years, Ulva and eelgrass 214.csn were also present.

Thanks to Cathy M. for this data collection summary and Bill B. and J. Custer for their great photography.
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