Thursday, July 29, 2021

07/29/2021 Thursday Monk Seal Dailies

Today's dailies are brought to you by Team T&D, Marilyn, Melody and Team R&B💕.

Team T&D hiked Ka'ena Point and met up with Lesley at the point. They had stopped by to check on RP30 Puka. Just as the arrived he was just hauling out, he has a new applied bleach N30. So nice when they have applied bleach marks, makes it easy for an ID from a distance. T&D's next find was RL98 Lina. She was in the same area several hours later when they were heading out.

At the point they saw the last lone albatross chick.  They spotted a seal on the runway, but the seal didn't give them much for an ID. It "might" be Lefty, but unknown.

Lastly they saw RW02 PvKauai and R3CX Nalu. There was some interaction, some barking and guttural noise between them, but nothing physical. 

Team R&B did an early check looking for RL20 Kalua, but for the first time in a very long time he wasn't anywhere to be found.  They did see a seal foraging way way out at the end of the jetty, then it was gone.  They went to check the area but didn't see anything until their friends were frantically waving  over to them.  

A seal came into the shore line, and was about to haul out but tourist arrived and the seal got spooked and turned away and left.  When they finally got some photos they were able to ID Kolohe RW22, with his snout wound. They stayed for a bit but no seals returned so they left.  

Later on a recheck they found Kolohe RW22 landed on the other side of the jetty. They hurried over and got an ID on Kolohe. While checking him out a pod of dolphins suddenly showed up, quickly passing by. As fast as they appeared, they were gone. Kolohe remained on shore alone snoozing.

The only other seal Team R&B found today was RH32 Kaale. He was resting on the rocks and alone.

Later on a recheck Kaale was in the same spot still snoozing.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island between 1:15 to 2:45 and there were three seals on island today. Out on the rock flats Lanikai side of LPB was RK37 Huia. She is subadult size, new coat, light female belly, two tags and a nb on her rear lower left side.

Initially on LPB but later moving to Middle Cliff area was and unknown subadult female (SF).  Subadult, size, old coat, two tags and yellowish female belly with lots of green. This seal was hauling out at LPB, then she reentered the water and hauled out at LPB closer to 1BS. She spent about 30 minutes moving around the beach before she entered the water again. Five minutes later she hauled out at the middle cliff where she moved around a lot. She might have a scar under her right eye. 

On the rock flats around SRI was weaner P04 Manana. She was ID'd by  weaner shape and coloration, one tag on RRF and no nbs on front flippers. She spent a lot of time exploring and apparently eating stuff out of the tide pools.

Melody received a text this morning of a seal in Waikiki. Melody was on her way to the area so she stopped by to check and there was Miss Kaiwi RK96.  She was ID'd by the spot on her head. She had a large zone set up and she was by the waters edge.  Melody left for an appointment and returned about 1:00 and she was still there. Volunteer was on site watching over her. Kaiwi is looking very brown/green, but doesn't appear to have started her molt.

Nalu R3CX
Lefty (?)
RL98 :Lina
N30 Puka RP30
RW02 PvKauai
Kolohe RW22
Ka'ale RH32
Rabbit Island RK37 
subadult female
P04 Manana
Kaiwi RK96

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