Madrona Beach - June 16, 2010

With the completion of monitoring for 2010, Camano Beach Watchers took the time to begin evaluation of data collection. You can find a set of comparisons in CHARTS that are linked at the bottom of the main Intertidal Zone webpage. Take a look at what collected data says about our species gains/losses on our shorelines. Then enjoy the pictures below from this year's monitoring.

Madrona Beach 2010

The team that showed up for the Madrona Beach monitoring on June 16 proved to be a lot of our Beach Watcher fellows, but only one gal, Beth H. Beth proved worthy of the task of showing the men how to do it well. This beach is always very productive and this year proved to be also. Quadrats were very interesting and the team found a huge variety. Mike F., the team leader, led this group.

Beth searches Beth searches

Rich quadrat Rich quadrat

Madrona Group Madrona Group

Ck out this team!! Ck out this team!!

Madrona Beach - June 24, 2009

Madrona B. Team Madrona B. Team

Heart Cockle Heart Cockle

Typical rock wt. critters Typical rock wt. critters

Large chiton Large chiton

Nudibranch & seastar Nudibranch & seastar

Two seastars Two seastars

On the morning of June 24, eleven hearty Beach Watchers braved the rain and strong winds to conduct the Madrona Beach monitoring where a -3.6 tide was expected at 12:35 PM. The crew included Jack P, Judi M., Dave B, Linda B, Shirley C, Alex K, Beth H, Bill B, Pat B, Pete D., and Mike F. captain. Among the most interesting critters found near the low tide line were a large cockle (Clinocardium nutiallii), large groupings of nudibranchs (Onchidoris bilamellata) and their eggs, one rock of which was being shared by a seastar, a quite large Mossy chiton (Mopalia muscosa) and, under one rock, several small seastars (Pisaster ochracaus) that seemed to have ended their dueling with a handshake. There seemed to be a vast amount of nudibranchs among the seaweed covered rocks, more than we remembered from previous years.

quadrat inspections quadrat inspections

Team searchers Team searchers

Pete doing H2O quality tests Pete doing H2O quality tests

The quadrats were lean this year, predominately filled with green seaweed, but few critters out at the depth they were laid and one quadrat was sitting over a flowing stream of water revealing little. But in general, the beach proved to be healthy and teaming with Salish Sea shore life. Pete D., monitoring leader for Camano Is, took the opportunity to take water quality samples from Madrona Beach to be tested in lab. This beach is done by Pete on a regular basis.

As the team neared completion a light rain began and the group were glad to be done. Members retired to Mike F. home for snacks and talks. Thanks to Mike for hosting and for all who came.
Pictures provided by B. Blandin and J. McDougall.

Madrona Beach Monitoring - July 2, 2008

Mike's crew

On the morning of July 2, 2008 (opening day for crab season), 13 Camano Island BeachWatchers (and Bill) gathered for the annual beach monitoring. Due to the fog, and consequent lack of a visible horizon, Beth drove to the office and obtained the water tube sighting device. After an initial learning process, the device was put to use, and worked remarkably well. Perhaps due to opening day, we had quite a few curious onlookers, including some members of the Fire Dept., who had helped rescue a stranded boat, and a bald eagle perched on the yacht club dock.
The first 50 feet from the starting point revealed surprisingly sparse animal life; just a few spiders. Thereafter, the beach lived up to its reputation as one full of interesting sea life, including amphipods, four types of barnacle, lots of seaweed, chitons, clams, crab, gunnel fish, isopods, limpets, mussels, nudibranchs, seastars, shrimp, snails, worms,, and seagrass. Due to the low tide of -3.8 at 10:47 a.m., the end of the line was 170' from the start. All had a great time, and a small feast at Capt. Mike's afterwards. Thanks to Mike for this report.