A Hawaiian monk seal that came ashore yesterday at Three Tables beach in the state's Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District is a female who is no stranger to the North Shore.

The seal is known by tag No. "R5AY" although she has a second flipper tag, "R5AZ."

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Fisheries Service volunteers reported the seal came ashore at about 7:45 a.m. yesterday.

"She gave birth to one of two pups born on O'ahu last year," said Tracy Wurth of the National Marine Fisheries Service. "We see her around O'ahu, and she's a regular visitor on the North Shore."