September 15, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team T&D, Marilyn and Team Billand.   
I have a couple of photos of Kawena from yesterday that came in late last night from Team Billand.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island today from 1:30 to 3:30 pm today. There was one monk seal (better than none), which raises the question were are all the SE quadrant seals?

She spotted the seal on the rock flats near seal rock inlet. UAM (unknown adult male) ultimately moved up and laterally from SRI. The seal was adult size, old coat, two tags, and good chance it was a male belly. It is possible this is RG32, but Marilyn could not say for sure.

The masked booby chick as mostly hidden in the weeds today and did not come out long enough for photos.  


Marilyn had checked other spots this morning but did not find any other critters.

Team T&D still on the Big Island, went looking for seals together this morning. They found Waimanu RW34 sleeping in a tide pool. Volunteer says Waimano is estimated at 850 pounds WHOA! This may be because she is feeding at the fish farm. Word from KKO volunteer that is her favorite tide pool and they call the rock she's hugging Waimano's pillow. 

Tammy went back out solo in the afternoon and went over to visit the folks over at Ke Kai Ola. On the way they got a call that weaner RL50 Kaulana hauled out, and this was a must see. He could easily be seen from far away by his white weaner belly on a lava rock. He rolled enough that she got to see his NB on his back. The volunteers call this his "butterfly wings".  He was born on March 20th which makes him almost 6 months old. Tammy noted he is long and big for a weaner, some say he is following Waimano to the fish farm. (oh boy !).

A special note worth sharing from Tammy, and in this case I am going to just cut and paste her own words... what I will say is I agree with her.
"Today is day 6 of checking Big island beaches, I have seen 3 seals and have 3-4 more to hopefully see.  Dave and I have been checking together in the morning, we come back for lunch,  then I go solo in the afternoon.  I must say I have always had the utmost respect for Team Billand, going out everyday for hours and hours everyday, every week, every year for years and years.  I have always admired their dedication and toughness, but these last 6 days, going out twice a day, I’m exhausted.  I don’t know how the Billands to do it.  I have a few more days on the Big Island and will go out and look for seals in hopes of seeing all the seals and living like the Billands."

A Team Billand arrived at KoOlina at 5:30 am after they received a call at 5 am.  They first went looking for their poles and some old signs.  Two people were walking the beach and noticed the seal, and went right over to it. They got really close and Team Billand called out from across the beach to get their attention. Team Billand were able to educate them about our Hawaiian Monk Seals. 

Team Billand called the hot line immediately and put up the zone. 

There were lots of swimmers and they were getting really close to the seal. Team Billand would call out when they were in hearing distance but some people were just being ignorant and disrespectful.

Team Billand spent the rest of the morning with more respectful visitors and they were more understand.

At 11 AM they got tired, called the hotline one last time and was told there were no volunteers available until noon.

So as of today and after spending so much time with this sweet girl, RH92 is named Nalani. 

Team Billand left KoOlina and check out some west side beaches. They found Kawena RH36 in the shallows by a sandy patch. There was gunk on her face, tags were showing. Kawena hid between the rocks.  There was a man that came by to pick opihi, she saw him, and stayed put until he passed and then she took off.

Also note Team Billand did see her here yesterday as well. I'm including pictures of both days. (double dose of Kawena).

Team Billand's last find of the day was the beautiful Lei Ola RH48. They found her to the right alone on the rocks, snoozing. Barbara noticed some thin fishing line around her mid body, but a wave swished her around, and then she could no longer see the line.

Team Billand kept a close eye on her and noticed the line coming from her mouth. There was no hook seen, but a very light line about 5 feet.  Team Billand submitted a report to NOAA.

 RL50

 RW34 Waimanu 

 Uknown Adult Male 

 RH92 Nalani 

 new?

 Kawena RH36

RH48 Lei Ola

 mr. crabby