MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: October 6, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

Sunday, October 6, 2019

October 6, 2019 Monk Seal Dailies

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

Marilyn heard from the posse there was a monk seal at Kaupo Beach Park, so she stopped by to check. There was R1KT on the waterfront among a number of beach-goers, and he didn't seem to mind. HE was ID'd by his new coat, his T37 tag. He may have a new scar/marker on his side behind his RFF. The scar in front of his LFF was obvious.
Volunteer was on site but there was no SRA, as the people on the

beach were respectful. Bystanders mentioned another seal had come to shore with R1KT but left without fully hauling out.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from about 12:45 thru 2 pm. There were four seals on island today.
At left point beach was a UJ unknown juvenile alone. Light belly not sure if female or male with two tags. Could be one of last years girls.

Close to Seal Rock Inlet were two adult males. Unknown Male #1 adult size, new coat, male belly with two tags. This very well could be RG32.
Unknown Male #2, adult size, old coat, male belly and at least one tag. This seal either has a light umbilicus scar or a small natural bleach in that general area.

Marilyn also spent time watching the Masked Boobies. Both Booby parents were near the chick who appears to be near fledging. It's head is darker and spends a fair amount of time exercising it's winds.

Team Billand arrived at the construction site at 6:15 this morning and spotted a seal foraging way off shore by the reef, then they lost sight of the seal. While looking out over the water Team Billand heard flip flopping, and there was RH92 hauling up in the reef. She seemed spooked like there was something after her. She hauled up was in the midst of debris floating in from the surf (plastic bottles, broken bottles, etc) They called the hotline to report and update there were campers to the right.

At 7 am Team Billand found Pohaku RO28 at KoOlina again up by the naupaka bushes snoozing. There were signs and ropes up by her. Team Billand called the hotline to inform them.
Team Billand stood by in case she moved and got too close to the ropes, but she moved down after awhile.

After Pohaku moved to the water the Aloha Team came by and removed the sign and put the ropes back up by where Pohaku sleeps. Volunteer arrived just before 9 am and Team Billand expressed their concern about the ropes. Volunteer focused on getting an ID of the seal, not taking Team Billand's word on who the seal is. (hmmmm) Team Billand left at 9:20

At a westside location Team Billand found RG28 Lefty just before 10 am. He was barely visible on he rocks, resting with the waves covering him at times. They could see the "wound" better today on the right side of his head. It almost looks like a "puncture" wound. Volunteer Melina arrived and Team Billand pointed out the wound.
When Team Billand did a re-check later he was still there resting.

Then much to their delight before heading to Ka'ena West they stopped and checked on the bay and there was a little seal in between the rocks on a sand patch snoozing alone. They took a few shots and left quickly not to bring attention to her. They were able to ID RL20 Kalua. He was still below resting on his side in peace.

Team Billand did the Ka'ena West trek and found RW02 PvKauai at 2:30. He was resting in a pond, tags visible. People were there to the left of the pond, but he was in a good spot. He was still there on their way out.

About 10 minutes later Team Billand spotted a small critter resting below in the boulders, alone. They could see the tags and was able to ID RL70 the little girl from Molokai. Her "goofy" L14 applied bleach was visible. Guess it was easier to read from the right angle.

R1KT