Tuesday, November 3, 2020

11/03/2020 Tuesday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team Billand, Marilyn and Lesley. Lesley's Ka'ena update is part 2 of the dailies.

Marilyn checked out several east side locations this morning and was delighted to find RW22 Kolohe. He was immediately ID'd by his cue ball NB behind his right rear flipper. She checked back with him in the afternoon and he was still in there. He has an older coat, so he hasn't molted yet.

Then Marilyn made a stop and found Right Spot R016 with her head near the water. In her position is was hard to get any clear markers, but a volunteer on site had ID'd Right Spot.

Marilyn finally made it to the pier to view Rabbit Island for about 2 hours. There were seven critters on

island today. 

Left Point Beach was: UA, adult size, newer coat, sandy belly and she wasn't sure about tags.

Between the 3BS and SRI there were: UJF#1 juvenile to subadult size, newer coat, light female belly and two tags.  Two seals were closer to SRI, UFW, weaner size, female belly, no tags and no applied bleach. This would indicate this is PO5. UJM, juvenile size, newer coat, lighter male belly and two tags. Marilyn thinks its a male, but not positive.

Just before 2 pm she notices a newly arrived weaner on the rock flats behind SRI. There was also another critter (unidentified, unknown) nearby that could have been there all along.

UWM, weaner size, male belly no tags and didn't look like any applied bleach marks. 

UU, unknown, behind waterfront rocks and was only partially visible. Subadult to adult size, possibly molting. Marilyn never got a look at the belly or if there were tags.

Out on the rock flats of RRB was RK37, juvenile size, newer coat, small natural bleach on lower left side and two tags.

Team Billand found Benny in the same area he was yesterday. He was high up on shore alone and

enjoying the morning sun. He is about 25% molted.

Between 7 and 9:30 am they were at the bay checking out the activity. RL20 Kalua was foraging along the jetty and by the buoy. The scar on the left side of his head was visible.

Lei Ola RH48 was all over the place being bothered by the boys Kaale and Nalu. She later landed on the rocks, but the waves were high, she tried to hang on but in the end she left and went foraging.

Nalu R3CX was foraging near the jetty and pestering Lei Ola. Later he landed and was resting.

Ka'ale RH32 did his thing along the jetty passing all the fishing floaters. At one point his chest was up out of the water. When Barb checked the photo he was looking at a dangling fish. He later landed on the rocks.

Team Billand left the bay and headed to check other west side locations. They found Aukai RL12 high up and looked like she just hauled out. She is looking quite healthy and very big. They called the hotline to report. When they went back later, she was gone and there were lots of people and tents.

At 10:30 Team Billand found Kekoa Alii RK72 sleeping in the rocks showing his tags. He looked like

he was resting peacefully.

At 10:45 Team Billand headed over to PC and there was RN14 Kalani sleeping. He became alert when there were kids screaming, not to mention the people chasing after the turtles. They called the hotline and put a zone. They hung out for an hour and did their best to educate.

During their travels they got to see some eagle rays splashing about, very cool to watch them.

About 2:30 they found RL70 Leina hidden away snoozing. Team Billand had to look from a couple different spots to actually see her. She was in a water hole up on mid high rocks.

Then they made one last check to the bay about 3 pm.  There was Lei Ola and Ka'ale on the rocks. Thre was also a dude, that was a little sketchy. They did their best to keep him away from the seals, knowing he was potential trouble. The things they see, and encounter out there. well let's just say they're my heros!

Right Spot R016

Kolohe RW22

Rabbit Island unknown adult
female weaner & unknown juvenile
unknown juvenile #1
male weaner and UU
RK37
Benny
RL20 Kalua
Lei Ola RH48
Nalu R3CX
Kaale RH32
Aukai RL12
Kekoa
RN14 Kalani
Eagle Ray
RL70 Leina
Lei Ola and Ka'ale

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