Thank you Tracy

Aloha good people! 
DB mentioned in his dailies that Tracy was no longer carrying the hot line phone.... I am sure she will be plenty busy with other things. I do want to take this opportunity to THANK Tracy for her all she has brought to us the volunteers. I met Tracy two years ago (when I met Chester) and will always remember her sharing information with us, and getting us some fact sheets to learn from and use as hand outs.

Who else can make someone feel good about searching and collecting seal poop?  They call it scat... I call it poop. 

Again thank you Tracy, just want you to know you have been and are still appreciated by us folks on the beaches. ~donna~

4/24/2010 DB Dailies

As has been the case too often of late, I didn't find anybody until my 2nd look at Rabbit Island, from Makai Pier, at 0849. I found Duke up in the grass at the right end of the beach. He moved down to cool off , late morning, and remained there by himself for the rest of the day.

At 0934, Kolohe hauled out at the far left end of the beach. He spent the rest of the day snoozin' there.

The Billands checked in around 1000 with a report of Zero, in the West and Southwest quadrants. There were no further reports, from any other sources.

For those who do not already know,as of last Friday, Tracy no longer has the Hot Line phone. It is now a PIRO responsibility.

Lastly, for those in the mob who haven't experienced the thrill of trekking the trek to Palm Grove, Campbell Industrial Park, Team Billand sent a couple of photos. The newly erected barricades are brand new, and replace those that "Big Foot", Monster Truck morons removed so they could 4 Wheel to their fishing spot at Palm Grove. Though we don't know for sure, it's likely that the barricades were done by the Amron employees. If you pay attention to the dailies you will know that this a favorite spot of Ewa Girl, and a couple of others from time to time, but Ewa Girl owns the place, or she did until the arrival of the trucks. She has dropped off the radar ever since. Hopefully, this will allow her to return to her secret spot.

Profile - Lona R017 untagged

Lona (R017) is an untagged, adult female first seen on Oahu in 2005. Nothing is known about her prior to that sighting. Since she is untagged, markers are the only means of identification. She has a mid body , right side Cookie Cutter scar, and a small natural bleach on her left side posterior

Profile - RIP (Rabbit Island Pup) R70/71

RIP (RR70) is an adult male, born on Rabbit Island on 5-3-03. The best means of identifying him are his hind flipper tags (R70/71), and the remnant scar caused by a transmitter removal some years ago. It has now healed to a small pit scar at his shoulder hump.

4/23/2010 DB Daily

My first pass through the SE quadrant was a bust, however when I got back to Makai Pier at 0928 and peered through the scope I found Duke and Kolohe, 10 ft apart, 80/90 ft left of 1BS on Rabbit Island. They would remain there all day with no observed interaction.

Duke and Kolohe

Seal Count Details.... Waiting for Details

4/22/2010 DB Dailies

On my first look at Rabbit Island, from Makai Pier, I found Sadie , 30 ft left of 1BS, and Duke up in the grass at the right end of the beach. Both would later move down, and remained at those locations all day.

At 1122 Buster hauled out to join sister Sadie at 1BS. He did lots of nuisance nuzzling, but Sadie just keep slowly rolling away. He finally settled down and both snoozed away the rest of the day.

Team Billand called at 1124 to advise that they were on their way to the end of the world, responding to a call from Tracy about "an injured animal" at Ka'ena Point. On the way they found Lona at Yokes, with her prominent F2 bleach. They checked in again at 1335 to report that they had found Ka'ena, Kerby and Benny at Ka'ena Pt.

Just in case, like me , you were wondering where Irma disappeared to, Jen Christian called at 1604 to advise that her Marine hubby called to tell her that "N3" was on the beach at the Marine shooting range between Ewa Beach and Iroquois Point. The guard was keeping her safe.

Duke

Sadie and Buster

Plump Lona

Kerby and his buddy Benny

Ka'ena

April 17th BiAnnual Seal Count

NOAA/NMFSPIRO/PRD

7th Semi-annual Hawaiian Monk Seal Count
Saturday, April 17, 2010

Fact Sheet

The semi-annual monk seal count takes place every third Saturday of April and October.

Over 300 volunteers are expected to participate around the State of Hawai`i.

Every main Hawaiian island (MHI) will be involved with the count which will be headed by a number of federal, state, and non-profit organizations.

Kauai - Kauai Monk Seal Conservation Hui 

Oahu - Hawaiian Monk Seal Response Team Oahu 

Maui/Lanai - NOAA Fisheries Marine Mammal Response  

Molokai – Molokai Marine Mammal Response Team 

Big Island

   Kona – Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary 

   Hilo – Hilo Marine Mammal Response Network

 Kahoolawe – Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission

 Residence of Niihau

There is estimated to be a minimum of 113 of these critically endangered monk seals in the Main Hawaiian Islands. We would expect to potentially see about one-third of the seals hauled-out in the MHI at a given time.

The seal count gives researchers a snap shot in time of the MHI population as well as raises public awareness through media coverage and outreach.

Past counts have led to the discovery of previously un-identified seals as well as injured individuals, thus providing a tool in which overall health status can be assessed.

Kauai  5
Oahu    8
Molokai 12
Maui/Lanai 4
Koho'olawe 2
Hawaii 1

* Ni'ihau residents participated and did a count over a 2 day period. The number of seals came in at 91, although it is unknown if some animals were counted twice.

4/21/2010 DB Dailies

It was not until my 2nd look at Rabbit Island at 0950 that I finally found a SE quadrant critter. I found Duke , home from yesterday's Blowhole feed, and cruisin' at 1BS. He would remain there all day.

At 1119, M38 showed up, hauling out to join Duke at 1BS. He immediately began nuisance nuzzling, but Duke gave him no satisfaction at all, not giving M38 any response . At 1200 M38 gave up and reentered the water. I did not see him again today.

Duke

Duke and M

Video Clip of Rocky and her Pup

Kim Steutermann Rogers has some excellent, warm & fuzzy shots of Rocky and (per Kim)SON ! , on Kauai. Definitely check her blog  http://www.outriggerhawaii.com/Blog.aspx (from DB's Daily)

4/20/2010 DB Dailes

At the end of a long hard day of Rabbit Island observations, plus multiple trips through the SE quadrant on the "Irma Quest", the only animal in my life today was Kolohe, doing 7 minute dives at Spitting Cave, until a 1513 call from Tracy with a reported animal at Blowhole. At 1523 I confirmed that it was Duke, doing 8 minute dives.

Team Billand came through at 1503 with the report of Benny at the same location as yesterday, just before the entrance to Yokes. 

Kim Steutermann Rogers has some excellent, warm & fuzzy shots of Rocky and (per Kim)SON ! , on Kauai. Definitely check her blog  http://www.outriggerhawaii.com/Blog.aspx

Kolohe

Duke

Happy Birthday Kerby

4/19/2010 DB Dailies

On my first look at Rabbit Island at 0630 I found what would prove to be Duke, by himself, 20 ft left of 1BS. He had moved down to cool off by the time I'd gotten back to Makai pier at 0930. He would remain the one and only resident of Rabbit Island today.

At 0740 I found Irma, cruisin' in her pond at "Irma's Grotto", at the end of the Kokee Flats , at Portlock. When she showed up at DH yesterday, Colleen and I figured Spitting Cave or Kokee would be the call today. Sure enough, therrrrrre was Irma doing her best hippo immitation.

Team Billand called at 1443 with the report of Benny and 2AW together on the rubble below the cliffs just before the entrance to Yokohama at the end of the west side.

Duke

Irma

Benny and 2AW

Benny

Outreach for Earth Day at MCBH

ALOHA Friends and Fans of the Monk Seals,

  Ralph and I were asked by Karen Bryan if we could do outreach on the Marine Corp Base in Kaneohe on Saturday, regarding our much beloved Monk Seals. Ralph and I were grateful for the opportunity to share

information, answer questions and educate with the materials we had about the ongoing struggle these monk seals face, how people should behave when around the seals and about our volunteer opportunities we have available for anyone 16yrs and older. The monk seal stamp was a big hit with the keiki and many report and entanglement magnets were given out.

  Many people inquired on the welfare and whereabouts of "KP2" since he was a temporary resident on the base Sept-Dec 2008.  Everyone including Christopher Blanchard MCBH Chief of Staff were very pleased to hear how well KP2 (Ho'ailona) is doing and being taken care of at UCSC.

  It was a fabulous day with a great turnout. A big MAHALO to the MCBH for having us at their Earthday Celebration !!!!

        Regards

        Barbara and Ralph Allen

4/18/2010 DB Dailies

When I peered into the scope, on my first look at Rabbit Island at 0650 I found Duke just hauling out at 1BS, and moving up the beach. At 0652 Kolohe caming out the shore break and followed Duke up and into the Morning Glory, 40 ft left of 1BS. They were still there when I got back to Makai Pier at 0830. At 1130 Kolohe began moving down to cool off, and shortly thereafter Duke followed. Both remained there the rest of the day.

At 1014 Diamond Head walker posse member Carol, called to say that "N3" was just to the right of the path at DH. A quick call to Rachel (Colleen's Asst. Luna) got Irma taken care of. Colleen calle at 1645 to say that Irma was still there, and snoozin' amongst the masses.

It's pretty darned hard to skunk a Billand, but they ended the day batting zero.

The Kenyon Expedition did the Ka'ena Point trek and found Ka'ena, T15M and M&M at the end of the world. Thank you..................very much !!

Duke and Kolohe

Ka'ena and Sharkbite T15M

Ka'ena

M&M

T15M Sharkbite

Molokai Friends

HI,

THought I would share this photo taken during seal count today. Love the flipper of the 3 year seal(B10) holding on to the youngster A08. Animals are so cool.  val

Yes Val animals are pretty cool.... but the people who care about them a very cool too.  This picture speaks a lot about friendship... and well I am proud to have spent time with you and to call you my friend.... and I'll say it one last time... your leaving just stinks!  da blog lady.

4/17/2010 DB Dailies

I hope everyone had a Happy Seal Count Day !! Zone #12 was a little slow this year, with only two critters. At 0645 I found Kolohe back near the cliff, 30 ft left of 1BS, on Rabbit Island. He would move down to cool off mid day, and remained there the rest of the day.

At 1259, Buster hauled out to join Kolohe. There was brief nuisance nuzzling, with Kolohe showing no interest at all. Buster moved up 20 ft and spent the remainder of the day there.

At 0827 Team Billand reported 2AW at Tracks.

During a telecon with Jenn Maldonado at 1040 she reported that R5AY was at Kualoa Pt today.

Kolohe and Buster

2AW