MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: August 11, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, August 11, 2019

August 11, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Marilyn. I also have a little tidbit in other news.

First order of business is to wish Luana RN58 a Happy Belated 6th Birthday 8/9/2013 !
AND TODAY is Kaiwi's 8th Birthday born 8/11/2011.

Marilyn was thrilled and surprised to find RK96 Kaiwi on the southeast side today about 10 am this morning. The tide was rising and if she had gone later she might have missed her. She was ID'd by her NB on her forehead and NB on her inside RRF, and eroding K96 tag. What a delight to have her come back to the neighborhood for her 8th Birthday.

Marilyn also went to Makai Pier to check on Rabbit Island. There were two critters today during her visit between 2 - 3:40 pm.
UJ - located on the rock flats left (Lanikai Side) of LPB. Marilyn believes this to be one of last years RI pups. She did not get a good look at the belly but the seal appears to have a new coat.
RL47 - located in the middle cliff area, ID'd by weaner size, male belly and two tags.
AND the Masked Booby chick continues to grow.

Team Billand arrived at the pupping site early morning morning and neither Mom or pup were on shore. Robert headed out to check nearby locations.
Barbara hung back and while waiting heard a snort to the right in the water. Carefully inspecting the water there they were Pohaku and Nanea were exploring the rocks. Team Billand called the hotline this was just before 6. Barbara called Robert to let him know mom and pup were in her sight.
Volunteer Melina arrived and Barb updated her.

Upon their observation Pohaku visited the buoy and Nanea wasn't interested but went along with Mom. After a moment or two they left that spot and moved to the mid rocks.
There was a nursing session from 6:45 to 7 and then they fell asleep. Once the kid woke up she was ready to dig out, but Pohaku cornered her with her body and the cove, and they fell back to sleep.

Both woke up and moved to mid rocks, where Pohaku climbed up on the reef to nurse, where the pip took a bit to galumph up to mom. There was another feed.

At 9:15 a big wave came up and over the reef, knocking both seals off the water. Poor Nanea had just latched onto Mom. They were both startled, and managed to move to birth beach to finish nursing. Another sleep followed.

Waves kept creeping up on shore and pushing the Mom and Pup about they moved higher up. Then at 11:48 Mom suddenly went through the channel to the other side and Nanea followed.

Then things got exciting Benny RE74 showed up, looking around and heading into the channel. Team Billand thought they would head over to find all three
Pohaku met Benny in the channel, and let him know with a huge bark and went after him, and she meant business.

Team Billand went back to the cove, Benny had left and they spotted Pohaku and Nanea trying to head towards a crowded beach. Nanea attempted to land but left with Pohaku. Both seals landed at birth beach to rest again. Nanea amused herself pulling at the Naupaka. All quiet at 1 pm so Team Billand left for a break.

Team Billand returns and Pohaku and Nanea still resting at birth beach, the tide is now at 2:2 high and rough.
At 2:42 they spot a seal coming in, and watched intently to see which seal this was. Turns out Kalani RN14 (ID'd by his natural bleach) he came right into birth beach. Pohaku immediately gave him a look and a bark. Kalani RN14 rolled over and swam to the corner of the cove, then left the cove.

Pohaku and Nanea continued their snooze. They were high up away from the rough surf, Mom moved over by Nanea and they just slept.
Team Billand decided to call it a day at 4, that was enough excitement, and volunteer was on site.

Lastly I just going to indulge myself, and share with you what I was busy doing today. I spent my day with three pups, all 2 weeks old. I had to feed them and got to run their bellies. Curious?
A pup is a pup is a pup. 😁

Kaiwi RK96 Happy 8th Birthday