MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: August 16, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Friday, August 16, 2019

August 16, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Mrs. Whisperer Marilyn.

Marilyn decided to take advantage of having the day off today and headed to Ka'ena Point. She hiked form the Yokohama site, and at the 20 minute mark she spotted a seal in one of the channels. The critter swam away before she could even get her camera ready. The seal was adult size but no possible ID.
A short distance later at 8:36 am, she spotted a critter resting on a rock rubble beach. The seal was sub-adult size with an older coat. Marily n was able to ID Lei Ola RH48 byt her H48/49 tags. She entered the water and headed in the Waianae direction about 10 minutes later.

There were no other seals seen on Marilyn's trek so she hurried home to check Rabbit Island.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from Makai Pier between 2:30 - 3:20. There were five HMS on Rabbit Island. On Left Point Beach there were 3 seals, Marilyn believes them to be:
RL47 Namakana - weaner shape and size, two tags, light male belly.
RH36 Kawena - sub adult size, new coat, 2 tags and female belly. She was too large to be one of last years girls.
U/M #1 - this seal only showed it's hind end (I hate when they do that). Older green coat, male belly (?) and 2 tags. Possibly RG32 but she won't bet the cat on it.

Near the 3BS:
Unknown Male #2 - adult size, older coat with green, darker male belly. She was never able to see tags, so may be the seal that has lost it's tags or has only small piece left.

On Rocky Right Beach there was a juvenile female with a new coat and 2 tags. Marilyn believes this to be RK37 (Sadies 2018 pup- RL47's older sister) because of the NB on the lower left side near the rear.

The masked booby chick is beginning to get some of it's adult plumage. It's "mask" developing around the beak.

Team Billand arrived at the pupping site at 6:00 am. They had been looking for seals and coming up empty. Finally they found Pohaku RO28 galumphing up at birth beach and Nanea followed. They had a nursing session.
After the feed, the pup and mom decided to go to the channel and they disappeared. Team Billand waited and waited but did not see them. Then Team Billand received a call from Auntie, and she had eyes on Mom and pup.

Team Billand headed over and there they were sleeping on shore, but the waves came and washed them off, so from there they went exploring. They landed in between the rocks for another nap.
At this point Team Billand got a call of a seal at another cove, so they went to check.

They were able to check and there was a nice little seal sleeping in the corner. Security arrived and brought the signs and ropes and blocked off a very busy beach. It was RH92
Team Billand called the hotline right away to update them on the crowds and seals location. She is looking green but healthy just laying there by herself. The scar on the right of face was visible and sar on right fore flipper too.

Team Billand stood watch, and did they best to educate the crowds. Then they got another call from Auntie. Mom and pup are back and on shore once again in a safe spot,
Pohaku and Nanea were exploring the rocks, rolling to get something but couldn't tell. Pup moved toward the channel. They notified the volunteer so people would get out of the water.

Meanwhile they see Nanea has something, and when they got a closer look they could see it was a plastic bag !!! She was pulling it out of the rocks, Pohaku headed over to her and got the pup to move. Nanea thankfully let the bag go, and it floated away. (too bad no one could get it) Pohaku then took Nanea into the channel.

Team Billand headed over to the other cove.
When Mom and Pup approached there were lots of people waiting with the cameras and phones, happy to see them.

Mom and pup explored the rocks for a bit, waves came in crashing over the rocks, so Pohaku took Nanea towards birth beach for a feed.

All was good, people were respectful and Melody was on site along with Team Billand. Melody ordered pizza and they had a picnic watching the seals. (such a nice image... did anyone save me a piece?) Team Billand called it a day around 3 pm.

Lei Ola RH48