March 9th, 2014

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Low Tide: 1.5' @ 2:31 PM

Sunday was another day of high surge and little exposure at Haystack Rock. HRAP staff and volunteers worked diligently to save signs from the surge, search the outskirts of the tide pools for interesting creatures, and help visitors stay safe during the unpredictable water. At least the wind had died down. The warm temperature and break from the dusts drew visitors on to the beach and encouraged exploration. Our highest count during the shift was 34 people in the intertidal.

It was another day of infrequent creature sightings, but we were able to catch a quick glimpse of a Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) in the water just north of the Rock! Other sightings included:

  • Rafts of Surf Scoters (Melanitta perspicillata) south of Haystack Rock
  • 2 Black Oystercatchers (Haematopus bachmani)
  • 1 Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus)
  • 2 male Harlequin Ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus)

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