10/28/2018 Monk Seal Dailies:

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Melody and a quick sighting by Team Billand. 

Mail from Melody brought news of an exciting find today on the westside. She and Dana were out checking different areas and they were surprised to find Ipo RI37, who has rarely been seen on the west side. Many are aware that RI37 is one of Honey Girl's R5AYs kids, and sadly RI37 has not been able to successfully give birth (that we know of). 


Interestingly enough Team Billand spent a quick visit with RI37 Ipo today. I know Barbara must have been thrilled seeing her again on the west side!  Barbara included a couple of photos from 2010 when Ipo was injured (to what is believed to be a gash from a motor blade)  PLEASE be aware the photo is difficult to look at, but what is truly amazing is monk seals ability to heal. It is unknown if this injury has contributed to her birthing problems or if there is another cause.

Marilyn was back at the pier watching over Rabbit Island. She spent about two hours and initially found four critters spread out along the island, and then a 5th seal moved down from the morning glory about half hour after arriving.  In all there  were three unknown males, one unknown/unknown and RK38 Hali'a. 
UM#1: located about 20 ft Kailua side of the 1BS; subadult to adult, 2 tags, male belly and new coat.
UM#2: located about 20 ft Makapuu side of the 3BS; adult male with at least one tag, older darker coat (might be close to molting). The seal probably overnighted in the morning glory.
UM#3: located near SRI, subadult to adult, male belly, 2 tags, newer coat.
UU: this seal was behind the waterfront rocks at the Makapuu side of Rocky Right Beach. The coat appeared to be newer. There was never a good view that revealed size, tags or sex.
RK38 Hali'a: came down from the morning glory shortly after she arrived. Weaner size and coat, 2 tags, female belly. There was no natural bleach of RK37 so that leaves weaner RK38.

Marilyn noted that R1KT and RG32 are possible for UM#1 and UM#2 but there is no proof.

RI37 Ipo 

Ipo RI37 - from Barbara

 RI37's wound from 2010 

RK38 Hali'a

 UM#1 

 UM#2

 UM#3

 UU

10/27/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Marilyn, Lesley, and a news link from posse pal Janice from Kauai.  Lesley's complete Ka'ena Update is part two of the dailies.

Apparently today was monk seal count day which usually occurs twice a year. Way back when this day was a huge event to get the community involved and recruit new volunteers, or simply getting to know your beach neighbors.  If it wasn't for Lesley's mention, I probably would have missed noting the day. Having said that by my count Lesley found 6 seals and Marilyn found 4. So whatever the total number turns out to be at least 10 critters were seen by these two people.  GOOD WORK Ladies!

Here is some news from the garden island, enjoy the story pups born on Kauai doubled this year!
http://www.thegardenisland.com/2018/10/27/hawaii-news/its-a-wrap/

Marilyn spent her morning at pier viewing Rabbit Island to make sure they were included in today's count, in total she spotted four seal on Rabbit Island.

There were three critters about 10-30 feet right of the the 3BS and one near SRI.  She labled the trio near the 3BS as:
U/A (unknown adult) - this seal appeared to be adult size with and older darker coat. She never got a look at the belly or tags. About 10:30 am this seal headed for the water.
UJ#1 - this might be a weaner with a male belly, which could be RK24 who has never been reported at Rabbit ISland today. This UJ joined the UA soon after it entered the water.
UJ#2 appeared larger than UJ#1, Marilyn never got a glimpse of the belly or it's tags. It also joined UA and UJ#1 and entered the water at about 10:45 am.  She did not see any of these critters during her time at the pier.

At Seal Rock Inlet, she thinks this could be RH36 Kawena. She spotted a female belly, new coat and what could be N6 bleach on her right side. 

RH36 Kawena 

 Trio - Uknown Adult and two Unknown Juveniles

10/27/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 2 ) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Hawaiian Monk Seal Count Day !

I went out at 7:30am and started the day with 3 seals.

From the driveway I looked down towards Camp Erdman Point I saw 2 seals on the sandbank.

RW02 "PVKauai" was in front of our main beach access.

I made it to CE Pt and IDed RN58 "Luana" and R330 "Squinty"

I waited till 9am to place the call so they could go into the count.

All 3 spent all day in the same places - last saw them at sunset

RK88 "Puna" was on the side of his favorite cove @ Ponds - hours later on my way out he was still there.

RO40 "Ka'ena" was hauled out on the island reef in the Main Pool - he has been there for a while. Molt should be starting soon.

Back out the gate I did a loop starting at Birth Beach, from far I saw that there was a big seal down there. to my surprise it was RR70 "RIP".

His molt is more than 40%.   More tomorrow 

10/26/2018 Monk Seal Dailies (part 1)

Today's dailies are brought to you by Melody and Lesley. Lesley's complete update is part 2 of the dailies.

Melody was out today and yesterday, unfortunately yesterday she was completely skunked. Today she checked several sites on the west side and only found Kekoa RK72. He is looking very green but hasn't started a molt. He was ID'd by his applied N2 bleach mark. Melody called into the hotline. 
Although Melody didn't see any other seals she did experience a pod of dolphins.

 Kekoa RK72

10/26/2018 Monk Seal Dailies: (part 2) Lesley's Ka'ena Update

Another 2 in 1 report

Only this morning did I notice that I hadn't sent the report last night, too much going on...

Yesterday, Thursday, when I went down in front of our beach path I found little RK40 "Napua" sleeping peacefully. Looking towards our KPt side beach access I saw a big shinny seal galumphing up the sandbank. It was R303 "BG", there were several trails were she was, she certainly did an overnight and perhaps there could have been another seal there with her.

From there I looked towards Camp Erdman and saw the familiar shape on the sandbank. I got the car & drove over. It was RN58 "Luana" - she has spent several days there since last week.

In the late afternoon I went down to check on the three and only "BG" was there. She had moved up all the way to the Naupaka line.

This morning Tammy and I despite the heavy rain decided to stick to plan and go out together.

We started here in front and all beaches were seal free.

Our first seal was little RK88 "Puna" @ 10Mnts Beach - when we came back hours later he was still there.

At Hidden Beach R330 "Squinty" was hauled out between the waterline and the sandbank.

Sandbank = the big surfer carved big tall steep sandbanks on our side of the coast.

In the NARS RO40 was hauled out on the reef island in the center of the Main Pool. He may be in a pre-molt, he did a nice turn to show us his chest and the fur there seems to already be ruffled up.

On Back Beach RR70 "RIP" was hauled out up on the sandy part of the beach. His molt his aprox.40% . He was rubbing his chin on a rock, trying to get rid of that horrible itchy molt. We saw him gliding down towards the waterline before we left.

We made it back soaking wet but still smiling - All seals were called in by Tammy.

I just realized that I only saw girls yesterday and boys today. Perhaps a mixed day tomorrow?  More tomorrow