A quick email from our Pal Val informed us that RW22 Kolohe is in full cruise mode on Kauai. He's one of the boyz going between islands looking for girls. While Val spotted Kolohe, she also got a couple of pictures of Kauai's Weaner L08, who we are nicknaming Bam Bam Square Pants.Marilyn hiked solo Ka'ena Point this morning and found RW02 PvKauai on the runway in NARS at about 9:50 am. He was ID'd by his male belly and W04 tag. He was her only find at KP today.
After returning from Ka'ena Point Marilyn went to Makai Pier to check out Rabbit Island from 2:20 - 3:40 pm. Viewing conditions were difficult because of the salt spray from the waves, frequent passing clouds and a rain squall that passed through.There were two juveniles of similar size on the Lanikai side of the beach. They were in almost identical positions for part of the time, similar in size and coloring.
UJ#1 - juvenile size and coloring, female belly.
UJ#2 - juvenile size and coloring, greenish female belly and 2 tags.
Best guess is the two juveniles are RK37 and RK38 Hali'a, our 2018 Rabbit Island pups.
UM#1 - male belly, two tags, no other ID marks
UM#2 - male belly, two tags, and no obvious ID marks.
That was it for the Rabbit Island cast, hopefully we'll see some fat females arriving soon.
Team Billand was out at a west side beach at 6 am and they spot a big seal on the rocks, when they went to check it out they discovered it was R4DJ Kauai Kolohe (RK36). He is so big and really looking good with no new marks.
Team Billand had to leave to pick up Jr. Sealette Olivia and returned to the site by 9:15 am.
Now there are two more seals. one of them is Kekoa Alii RK72 who is in a deep snooze. The other critter was Lei Ola RH48 and something isn't right, she is struggling to haul up on mid rocks. She pulls and goes low turns to her side and tosses her hind flippers. Then they see it!! Lei Ola has a fishing line coming from the left side of her mouth, no hook or swivel visible. Team Billand called Mark of NOAA directly, so he could get the ball rolling, then Team Billand called the hotline explained the situation with Lei Ola and let them know they already spoke with NOAA.
Then they spot another critter and upon closer observation, they find RIP RR70 by IDing the ding on his back, and tags. He is to the left high rock snoozing away.
Team Billand had to leave at 11:30 for a little bit and when they returned NOAA is on site.
Hope and David go down closer to check on Lei Ola they were able to provoke her to open her mouth and video her open mouth, Lei Ola barks, moved right by Kekoa, he looks up but not interested and goes back to sleep.
SO let me just say... THANK YOU TEAM BILLAND! Ya done good! Seriously, their endless efforts of being out there checking on the seals day after day make them invaluable to the well being of these critters.!!!!
Of course their day wasn't over as they continued west and found Ka'ena RO40. They didn't stay with him long as there were a lot of folks out and about and he was well hidden behind the rocks.Then Team Billand got a call from a good friend to let them know there was a seal at yoks. When they arrived they saw a family making there way down to the seal with a GoPro. Team Billand was able to get to them and do a little monk seal 101 outreach. Team Billand was about to ID little RK88 Puna on shore snoozing alone. Hopefully this family will be respectful and not try to go back later.
L08/09 Bam Bam Square Pants
RW22 Kolohe on Kauai cruising
RW02 PvKauai on Oahu at Ka'ena Point
Rabbit Island U/J #1 and U/J #2
U/M subadult males
RK36 Kauai Kolohe R4DJ
Kekoa
Kekoa and Lei Ola
Lei Ola RH48
RIP RR70
Ka'ena Ro40
Puna RK88
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