August 12, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand.

I'm just going to copy/paste Barbara's opening paragraph in her email.  Anyone who knows Team Billand knows how dedicated they are, me, well I consider them family.

"Since after 12 long years, and never seeing a birth, we thought Pohaku would be the seal to give us a gift one day. We did come close, but LEFT SITE to do a report. And yep, Pohaku GAVE BIRTH JULY 19th at 6pm....after we left for the day.

So...we wish to follow her day by day TO SEE HER JOURNEY with her pup NANEA.

Today is day #24"

Team Billand arrived to the pupping site this morning and it was still very dark out. They looked around very carefully and found Pohaku and Nanea on shore close to the water's edge. They were both snoozing, so Team Billand called the hotline to update.  Mom and pup slept for a good long time, while Team Billand waited for the magic to begin, but they just kept sleeping.

The first feed was at 6:46 am after Nanea woke Mom up. Now with a full belly it was more sleep for the both of them.

8:15 am Team Billand spotted a child just around the corner from the seals sleeping. Team Billand informed the volunteer who went over and found the child with parents exploring. They had climbed one of the barrier fences.  Their response was " I thought it was just a recommendation"  UGH!  They were advised to leave the area immediately.

At 8:30 there was another feed for Nanea, followed by more sleep.  Pohaku is starting to get thin, and it was the first time Team Billand noticed her condition.

Finally at 10:15 am it was time for a swim to Nanea's cove, to mid rocks, to twin rocks, then to flat rocks and a rough water swim to the right by rocky point. It's always a little spooky in that spot because of the rip currents often pull the kid out to sea. But no fear Pohaku was there.

They went and played with the buoy just for a bit. There's a good chance things are growing on that buoy, same as White Plains buoy that other seals use to play with.

11:05 Mom and Pup hauled out on birth beach for another feed and snooze.  

At 12:15 Team Billand left the site for some cooler air and a lunch break.

By 2pm Team Billand returned to find Mom and Pup on birth beach with another high tide hitting both of them on shore. They didn't care, they just snoozed and spent the rest of the day snoozing.

Team Billand called it a day at 3:30 and when they left Pohaku and Nanea were still asleep on shore. This completes day 24.