MonkSealMania.blogspot.com: Jan 27, 2023 Friday's Dailies

Friday, January 27, 2023

Jan 27, 2023 Friday's Dailies

Todays dailies are brought to you by Tammy, Marilyn and Team R&B💕

Tammy did an early morning solo hike. The first seal she came upon was RL98 Lina. She was high up on her favorite beach. Next seal was R3CU at back beach. Looked like he had just pooped. (there was a time when volunteers would collect seal poop and vomit). Kind of glad that was before my time). Tammy came across another seal on main beach. The seal didn't give her much to go on so it was reported as an U/U.

On her way out, she saw her first Albatross chick of the season.

Marilyn viewed Rabbit Island from about 11:55 to 1:40 and there were four seals seen during her observations.

Initially up in the dunes next to 1BS was an Adult Female: adult size, yellowish brown female belly and possibly two red tags. About 12:22 Marilyn noticed she had moved down to the waterfront.

At Middle Cliff area were two seals:

Juvenile Male: juvenile size, light male belly, unsure about tags.

He later moved down closer to the waterfront near U/A#1

Behind waterfront rocks was Unknown Adult #1: adult to subadult size, probably a light chest area; not sure sex or tags.

About 12:20 Marilyn became aware of a seal that apparently came down from the dunes near 3BS. Marilyn is calling this Unknown Adult #2: subadult to adult size, and two red tags. She never saw the ventral side so gender is unknown.

About 5:30 pm Marilyn got a call from one of her neighbors. She had been walking her dog (on a leash) at the beach and saw a large seal. Marilyn headed down immediately.

Marilyn believes this is RH58 Rocky who is not a frequent visitor to this part of Oahu. The seal was adult size, female belly, no tags, natural bleach on the tip of the LFF and scar on right lower jaw. She looks healthy.

Marilyn called the mainland hotline and left a message. There were tire tracks in the sand so Marilyn and Gamma Gayle put up some sticks and rock barrier around her.

Team R&B started at the outfall and there were multiple seals foraging and fighting. The first they ID'd was Kaale RH32 who was among those fighting.

They also ID'd RL20 Kalua and R3CX Nalu fighting with each other. The 4th seal they could not get an ID on and it was reported as an U/U.

Next stop was at secrets and they waited to see if the the seals would haul in. Finally the first came in was a male Kekoa Alii RK72. He went to the rocks and landed on Waianae end. The waves kept hitting him so he swam over to the entrance at the end of the cove. They hurried to get signs and called the hotline.

Shortly after RG32 came flying in and didn't hesitate and he landed next to Kekoa Alii.

They spent time educating tourist and waited for a volunteer to arrive.

They had to leave for an appointment and got word that while they were away. RN14 Kalani had hauled up. So of course when they finished they went to check on him.

They made one last stop for the day at another west side location. There were three seals on the rocks. There at seal inlet was RP30 Puka who was alone.

RW02 PvKauai was on lower rocks. And to the right hidden was RH76 Kala.

R3CU