May 5 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Team Billand, Lesley and Melody brought us some news from yesterday.   Lesley's Ka'ena update is part 2 of the dailies.

Team Billand found RIP RR70 just before 730 am on the westside. He came in looking around, cautiously and then came to the edge of the rocks. He proceeded to poop, moved inland and hauled right in front of the camp site. On their recheck, RIP was gone, one of the women at the campsite told them he had just left.


While Team Billand was observing RIP or checking on him they spotted Ray jumping out of the water over and over.  Today was the day Team Billand got the lucky shot.  Meet Ray the stingray.

Team Billand headed over to a westside beach haul out around 9 15 am. They waited and waited to see if any seals would arrive with hopes that Kawena would show.  ( She still has a hook, and hasn't been seen in a few days).

Finally at 11 am they spotted a seal swimming in coming into the rock area. They could see it was Lei Ola RH48.  She came in and took her time and went straight for the lower rocks. She is looking plump, and not struggling, and still no sign of a hook, or line to worry about.

Team Billand spotted another seal foraging and doing five minute dives. The seal was alone foraging a few times came in towards land but went right back out again. It's possible he was scanning the area. Hoping he would land, but he did not and continued to forage. The waters were choppy but weather was comfortable.
On their recheck both seals were still out there Lei Ola moved in due to rising tide and R366 was still pigging out. 

Marilyn checked the southeast quadrant this morning and found no critters. She then headed over to Makai Pier about 10. It was nice and sunny with a strong cool northwest winds which made viewing a challenge.  

Marilyn only saw on critter on Rabbit Island today about 50 feet to the left side of Seal Rock Inlet. The seal was first seen about 10:30 on the waterfront rocks. The seal appeared to be an adult with a lighter male belly. When he finally turned over Marilyn thought she spotted a small natural bleach on the middle right side. If it is, could be the same critter she spotted last Sunday. The seal entered the water about 11:20 and she never saw it again.
Marilyn spotted a long (at least 10-12 foot) blue object near the back of Left Point Beach. Unclear what the object is, possible partly hidden kayak, a large blue tarp or something else. This is the first time this had been seen on island.

In yesterday's news department, Melody sent photos of Pohaku R028. She arrived about 10 am and stayed the entire day until early evening. Security set up a peremiter and a Hawaiian Monk Seal Preservation Ohana   (HMSPO) volunteer stayed with her on the beach doing outreach for a good part of the day. 
Melody arrived later in the afternoon around 4 and stayed a couple of hours until Pohaku decided to leave. Pohaku appears to be quite healthy and got herself a good day of rest.

Ray the Sting Ray

 RIP RR70

Lei Ola RH48

 R366 

Blue thing on Rabbit Island

 U/M 

 Miss Pohaku R028