MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: 10/04/2021 Monday Monk Seal Dailies

Monday, October 4, 2021

10/04/2021 Monday Monk Seal Dailies

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

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from 1:15 to 3:45 and there were a total of six seals on island today. When she arrived see spotted five seals and a sixth hauled out later.

On the beach between the 3BS and SRI were four seals. Alone was an AF, adult to subadult size, yellowish female belly and two tags. She moved up and down the beach several times.

In the group near the SRI were three seals: JF#1, juvenile size, very light female belly and at least one tag on RRF. This might be weaner PO4, Marilyn just could not differentiate between a weaner and young juvenile. USA: subadult to adult size, yellowish belly and with the sand Marilyn couldn't determine the seals sex. AM, adult size, dark male belly, old coat and at least one tag in the RRF.

At RRB there was JF#2, juvenile size, yellowish female belly, not sure about tags.

At 3:00 Marilyn was doing her last check and she spotted a newly hauled out juvenile seal about 40 feet on the Lanikai side of 3BS. Marilyn ID'd this seal as an UJ, weaner to juvenile size, light belly and did not see belly or tags.

Team T&D are back on Oahu and decided to hike Ka'ena Point. (I guess seeing all nine seals on the Big Island wasn't enough for them :-) Their first find was Left RG28 starting his molt. Next find was RO40 Ka'ena on some reefs. Next critter they did not see on the way in, but did notice it on their way out. IT was very green with a scar. They checked with Lesley and are waiting for feed back from Lesley. In a small cove was RL98 Lina. Lastly from a distance they spotted a seal. Both T&D were calling it a day, but thankfully Lesley had seen the critter earlier and ID'd R407 Kawika.

Melody headed out to check on Rocky who is molting. Melody arrived just before sunrise and there was Rocky. There were a lot of people on the beach many taking photos inside the SRA. Melody immediately asked them to step out and offered to answer any questions. There were lots of questions so Melody did her best to educate Monk Seal 101. Shortly after it began to mist and looking up there was a beautiful rainbow over Rocky. Awesome!

A few folks mentioned there had been two seals there the night before, and were told it was a male and female, but didn't know which ones. Melody explained to them this seal was Rocky and pointed out her unique NB on her LFF. Rocky is about 75% molted and is looking good. A volunteer arrived ran down took a few photos made and ID and left. Melody stayed around until Rocky took off at mid morning. Rocky foraged as she swam out and headed north.

Team R&B started at the bay and waited forever for a seal to show up. Finally after a couple of hours RL20 popped out. He was the only seal seen there today. When they did their afternoon check he was still foraging.

At the outfall they watched the dolphins who are awesome, not so much the humans. They also saw a couple of saffron finches. Finally the spotted on seal foraging in and out of the outfall, moved on to track and kept going. They were able to ID RN14 Kalani.

Next they found RH32 Kaale resting on the rocks at Kahe. They could see he had a line coming from left corner of his mouth. Could not see the hook. They notified the authorities, and left. They headed over to tracks and as they passed they saw a "blimp" on shore. When they got a good look, they realized it was Kaale, who relocated. The line is still trailing, but he was resting and showed no stress.

At another west side location they found and ID'd RL70 on lower rocks. Her molt is about 90% with just a little more fur left on her butt.

Last stop they spot a seal galumphing up on shore. There was Nalu R3CX alone with no one around. At another site they spot a seal hidden in the rocks and not moving a muscle. They studied for an hour but the seal never cooperated. People started arriving so they left. The seal is possibly RL42.

Rabbit Island