8-2-2012 DB's Dailies:

I'm happy to report that it was quite the little interest day at Rabbit Island today. Thea & Darren (NOAA) went to RI, and tagged Aukai (our Officially Female) weaner. She is now RL12/13.

I found Aukai on my 2nd look at RI, at 0742. At 0854 I on a pan I found Buster (RV08) at the far left end of the beach. This is his first observed return to Rabbit Island since 7-24-12 As regular readers know he has been patroling the waters from Spitting Cave to Kokee for some time now. I was beginning to wonder if he'd ever go home again.

Shortly after Darren and Thea finished with Aukai (1006), Kolohe (RW22) hauled out to join her. They would do a short swim together, but only Aukai hauled out again.

On a pan at 1034 I found 2 animals hauling out at Seal Rock Inlet. I immediately saw that one was Kolohe, however it would take another 3 hours to ID the second critter. To my happy surprise it turned out to be Duke (RA12). His last trip home to Rabbit Island came on 6-13-12. Since then he has been a Molokai/Maui guy. He lost his transmitter some time ago, and the ID was based on the transmitter scar on his back, and a healed CC scar on his mid body ventral, and of course, two red tags.

To make a long story short, all of these boyz' hauled out to join Aukai at one time or another, and the afternoon found her surrrounded by all three of them . She had no trouble at all keeping them at bay.

At 0750 Toni Russ called to report an animal at Access 185A in Ewa Beach. She said she sent photos, but I have not received anything. My guess was Rocky, but without confirmation I can't rule out anybody else, soooooo ????

Team Billand called at 0752 with the report of Pohaku (RO28), once again at Secret Beach, KoOlina. Barbara advises that Pohaku's molt has finally begun.

On a day with lots of highlights, the 0845 Team Billand call still ranks right up there. They found M&M (R020) at Lualualei Beach Park !!! This was her first sighting since weaning Aukai on 7-25-12.

At 0854 the Billands reported that 2AW had hauled out to join M&M. Add him to your "Who's Your Daddy" list for next year.

At 0943 Dana called with the report of an animal at Iroquois Point. Vera Cober called at 1002 to confirm T21M.

Dana called again at 1010 to advise that Right Spot (R016) was reported within the R912 pupping site at Mokuleia. Awaiting confirming photos.

Check the Billands day on da' blog in the morning.

Aukai RL12/13 got her tags. We have a very round young weaner!

 NOAA PIFSC Thea and Darren on a mission to put a number on that little weaner

 A couple of the boys paying a visit

 Rabbit Island Gang!  

 

 T21 @ Iroquois