MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 01/08/2020 Wednesday Monk Seal Dailies

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

01/08/2020 Wednesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand and Team T&D.

Team T&D were out in Kahuku today. They only found one seal, but what a find. RK36 Kauai Kolohe had just hauled out. It's been a while since we've had any RK36 sightings, seems the Kauai seals are here on Oahu having a little vaction. Tammy did comment that the footprints near him on the beach were there BEFORE he hauled out, which is really good to know.
Team T&D also saw a banded Bristle Thighed Curlew, which they had seen last year.

Team Billand was at the outfall at 7 this morning and watched an adult seal foraging outside the outfall then coming in and going out. They did see a bleach mark but unable to make a positive ID so it was reported as a UU.

Team Billand arrived at a westside location and found RW02 PvKauai on lower rocks alone. He looked like he just arrived.
About an hour and a half later sitting in the rain they kept scanning the ocean for other seals and patience pays off. Here come Kekoa Alii RK72 from way off shore. He landed on high rocks and went right to sleep. Kekoa remained in the same spot all day in the rain.

Now they see a seal galumphing up on rocks to the right, followed by another seal. Both got into it posturing for a space to sleep. These two critters RN14 Kalani and R3CX making lots of snorts and noise. They finally settled down and remained in the same spot.

At 11 am the little kid RL20 Kalua arrives looking for a place to haul out on lower rocks. He took his time to check out all the possibilities. He spots RW02, galumphs over, stops sniffs the air, looks, moves on and stops. RW02 hears his little plops and Kalua keeps going. RW02 turns and sneezes, boy stops and then continues. In the end both seals lay next to each other in peace. RW02 is a good "uncle" to allow the kid to sleep by him. But the kid has some learning to do, he started sniffing RW02 and annoys him. After a warning from uncle the kid backed off and they both went back to sleep.

Another seal comes in galumphing in the shallows and climbs up on rocks to the left. Seals tags were showing and they ID'd RG28 Lefty. His cookie scars and natural bleach which is looking a little green. He stayed in this spot alone resting.

While taking pictures of the seals, Team Billand was joined by their son (junior sealette Olivia's dad), also joined by volunteer Melina. They were talking story when they spotted another seal coming into lower rocks. The seal landed and it was RIP RR70. He was moving slow either had too much to eat or feeling his age, but he finally landed and went to sleep.
While observing RIP on the left they saw movement. There was another seal making this #8. They see it's RH76 Kala the only female in the bunch. She galumphs to the left of the two boys and stayed very still hiding behind the big rocks. The boys didn't hear her so there wasn't any reaction, she even looked over the rocks to check. She went to sleep.
All the seal remained when Team Billand went back in late afternoon to check.

RK36 Kauai Kolohe