05/03/2022 (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

 Aloha all,

I haven't been present lately on the blog and I apologize  for it.

There has been so much going on here.

As you all know by now RN58 "Luana" gave birth on April 14^th to a little male we nicknamed PO5 "Mauna". On the day he was born, he wasn't yet 20 minutes old, when he started climbing a rock. Dave was beside me and said he should be called something like Mounty. We talked it over the next day when we saw it was a male and choose Mauna for mountain. We stick to the tradition of offering how was at the birth site or the first to see a new seal to nickname it. 

Today PO5 "Mauna" is 20 days old and doing great

For weeks pre-birth I monitored RN58 "Luana" daily. She also had other "fat" females around like R353 that was here or a stretch. On the day I saw her tummy moving in all directions I called it that we would have a pup in a day or two. She went MIA so we believe she made it to Niihau her usual birthing place. That was a close call.

Other females that have been around:

-  a quick visit from R413 also looking nice and round, 

- KG54 "Huaka'i" comes and goes she's looking very healthy,

- RL42 'Leia" looks round and seems to be on the move constantly, she has had a few suiters around

- RJ40 " 'E'ena" was around for a longtime. She had a CC scar on her RFF shoulder but has been MIA for a couple of weeks. Perhaps back on Molokai

- R303 "BG" shows up weekly in her different locations, she's looking nice and round already

- R604 "Kiane" is here daily, keeping herself out of trouble and always with one of the adult males around her. This week it has been R3CX Nalu

- RL74 "Kami" and RL98 "Lina" are here every day up and down the coast. 

The males have been:

- R3CU swims in to where the other seals are causes trouble and usually leaves

- R3CX "Nalu" after is ordeal on the westside has been here daily either alone or with R604 "Kiane"

- RG40 "Holokai" is everywhere either alone or looking for company of other seals. He was often with RJ40 " 'E'ena"

- RO40 "Ka'ena" has turned out to be a loner avoids being around the youngsters. He has a new CC (?) scar on (L) side of his neck

- RW02 "PVKauai" can be seen at the point one afternoon at the point, next day at Mokuleia and the following day back at the point. You know you'll see him but just don't know where

- RK36 "Kauai Kolohe" has visited a couple of times from our doorstep to the point to other locations. He's one handsome seal but a top of the list candidate for a bleach. Since he has lost his tags the one big IDing is his scar line behind RFF if he's covering it there are several other marks to ID him but it will put your memory to work during the process

- RG28 "Lefty" comes and goes. He also has a new CC scar on his LFF

- R330 "Squinty" always looking for company or hanging around other seals. He doesn't mind age or sex

- R407 "Kawika" comes and goes from west side to the point or further. Prefers being around females and has been seen courting RL42 "Leia" lately

- RN04 "Kainoa" came by for a visit on a couple of occasions.

As you can see the HMS have been keeping us busy. For the past weeks the average of seal sightings and documenting have been between 7 & 9 a day. Last Saturday !!! That's a lot of documentation and reports to write.

Today 9 - well when you start the day with M&P the numbers add up fast. Although M&P at this site haven't had any visitors so far. Males are coming by but keeping a BIG distance.

The LAAL - Laysan Albatross chicks are growing fast. Today I saw several with white plumage showing under their down

WTSH - Wedge-tailed Shearwater have arrived in mass and are nesting EVERYWHERE so please if visiting Ka'ena PLEASE STAY ON PATH.

The Koleas have finally left to Alaska.

Last week and today I heard what could be a Curlew whistling.

and finally last Thursday out with Tammy and Kilali from NOAA we got to see a whale put on a show of peduncle throws but the highlight was a mother and VERY young calf closer to shore. That's a treat yet so late in the season. Today I saw a couple of blows

That's all for the animal wildlife - I'll spare you of the human one.

More soon - Be Safe