MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 9/2/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) RH32, RL42, RW02, RN46, PO6, U/M, R1KT

Sunday, September 2, 2018

9/2/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1) RH32, RL42, RW02, RN46, PO6, U/M, R1KT

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Lesley, Marilyn (with a little help from Tony).
Lesley's Ka'ena update is part two of the dailies. I also got an email from a a posse pal who has returned to the island and spent the day with Dana & Gayle! Thank you Anissa.

Team Billand went to Ka'ale's Kitchen and there was a HUGE number of fishermen and one of the Volunteer sector managers on site. But there were no seals, they waited and waited, left to fill up the car and then returned. Sure enough there is Ka'ale swimming around, not quite his usual behavior, as he was in the corner way out if the outfall. He came in fast and furious, took some bait and then ate some smaller fish, one being a stickfish.. Ka'ale came close to the rocks gave the guys stink eye and not looking to pleased with the crowd. When they noticed he was gone they left to check some nearby spots and the finally saw him hauling out. He rested on the rocks looking really fat.... wonder if he has an eating disorder (only kidding). Team Billand headed out to check on the other critters.

Team Billands next find on a westside beach was RL42 Leia. Just as they arrived they spotted her on the rocks and then the skies opened up and the rain came. They took a few pictures and left the site. On the way back from their Ka'ena West trek she was still there, but there were a couple of folks close by. She is looking healthy with her nice new coat.

Team Billand did their Ka'ena West Trek through some of the rain. Finally they spotted a seal at the

20 mark, it was RW02 PvKauai. He was chilling, alone with his tags showing. He looks good and is quite green. Seems like the critters are either GREEN or have new seal suits.

Marilyn had to head into work this morning, but on her way in she stopped by the Blow Hole and found RN46 Kea. He was ID'd by male belly, RN46 tag and natural bleach on RFF. With his coat so green his natural NBs are a little more difficult to see.

After work Marilyn went to the Pier close to 4:00 and stayed about an hour. There were three monk seals on Rabbit Island to the left of the 1BS on left point beach. Great news PO6 is on the island! ID'd by natural bleach on rear lower left side when the seal was on its back. The seal looked almost too long to be a weaner, but Tony flew his drone to the island and his photos confirm a plump weaner.
There was also an unknown male, relatively dark coat, two tags, unable to ID.
R1KT fairly light colored male, easily seen applied N3 bleach and 2 tags. (thank you NOAA)
Tony was able to see the natural bleach on PO6 and N# on R1KT from his drone photos, so they were able to back up each others findings.

Ka'ale RH32