MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: September 28, 2019 monk Seal Dailies

Saturday, September 28, 2019

September 28, 2019 monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn, and our Pal Val.

News from Kauai and weaner RL28/33 entertained our pal Val today. This is a truly fun time to watch over them, toddlers, inquisitive, always moving, until it's nap-time. THANK YOU Val for sharing, because I don't think any of us get tired of seeing pictures of weaners.

Marilyn hiked solo to Ka'ena point today from the Mokuleia side. She arrived at the point about 9:45 and found two seals, one on back beach and the one in the main beach pool. It took Marilyn a bit to get an ID but finally ID'd RL20 Kalua at back beach, by his male belly (and dark markings on his belly) weaner size, N17 bleach and L21 tag. He for sure had some interesting positions today.

There were several wallows and trails on the back beach, along with some seal spew... (eww).

In the main beach pool was RIP RR70 who was ID'd by his male belly, old coat adult size and R76 tag.

When Marilyn started back to the parking lot she found RO40 Ka'ena at the entrance to Ka'ena's pool, He wasn't there when Marilyn originally headed out. He was ID'd by his adult size, old coat and transmitter patch.

Marilyn spotted a group of 3 bristled-thighed curlew near Ka'ena's

pool. On her hike back she spotted the NOAA ship, the Oscar Elton Sette.

After her Ka'ena Point trek, Marilyn went to Makai Pier and viewed Rabbit Island for just over an hour. There were three critters on the Left Point Beach.
RL47 weaner ""Kamakana", ID'd by weaner size and color, light male belly and two tags. This brought great relief in that he had not been seen for a few weeks.

UAM unknown adult male, adult size, dark coat, both dorsal and ventral, and at least one tag. Marilyn is pretty sure it showed it's male belly but not 100%.
Unknown Sub-adult molting - subadult size, about 40% molted, at least one tag. Unclear what the sex of this critter is.

Team Billand arrived just before 6:30 am at a west side location just in time to see two seals just hauling up on the rocks. They ID'd RH36 Kawena and RG28 Lefty following close behind her./
They did a recheck later and found both seal still there but set apart. They were both sleeping the day away.

Team Billand drove out to KoOlina and there they found RH92 Nalani resting on shore. They called security who set up a zone. It was still early morning and she had moved some so they reset the ropes and signs. The scars on the right side of face and right fore flipper showing and tags seen. They educated many people. Team Billand called the hotline and a volunteer came at 9:30.
At 10 am Robert and Olivia came back to get Barb now that volunteer was onsite.

At 9 am Team Billand found the beautiful Pohaku RO28 sleeping by "sharkbites tree" (some of you old timers will know where and what that is). There was a very nice lady on the beach taking it upon herself to keep her eye on Pohaku. Seems Grandpa and Junior Sealette Olivia made the positive ID. Grandma was at KoOlina hanging out with RH92 Nalani.

At 10:20 Team Billand found RH32 Ka'ale (aka butthead) was in the same location as yesterday. He was on the rocks snoozing. Chances are he had been to the outfall, but Team Billand was scattered over watching critters they were unable to check.

NOAA Ship off Makua area, same as Marilyn mentioned. Team Billand could see a raft in the water with lots of workers.... wonder what they were working on?

Kauai Weaner RL28 (KC's kid)