Sue joined me for another day spent out on Malabar Headland watching the Peregrine Falcons.
We had a very interesting and enjoyable day, but it was a bit perplexing to try and work out the status of the Peregrine’s nesting.
This time, we met at Maroubra, and first walked along the western track. I was a keen to look for some orchids. In particular Flying Duck Orchids. We didn’t spot any, but I did find a Beard Orchid that was out –
We then walked into the Eastern section of the National Park. We saw this Australasian Figbird –
New Holland Honeyeater
None of the Sun Orchids were out. But we did find some fresh buds.
At the Peregrine Falcon nesting area, we spotted one of there pair perched along the cliffs. But it soon flew off.
Here is a Pied Cormorant with a nice catch –
A lot of Australasian Ravens were mucking around near the Peregrine Falcon nest area. This surprised us as we thought the Peregrines would not tolerate their presence so close. Perhaps they were not around?
Then a Peregrine Falcon landed on the cliffs. It had prey – a small bird –
It did not take long for the Peregrine Falcon to finish eating.
It landed further along the cliffs.
Down below we spotted a passing Dolphin –
Meanwhile, the Peregrine Falcon settled down to have a rest.
It later got up.
It landed further along the cliffs, in the spot where we had first seen it.
Another Peregrine Falcon appeared.
This time I could get closer to the one perched along the cliffs.
And then the one on the lower ledge took off.
And it landed further along –
Then a bit more flying.
Caspian Tern
One Peregrine had landed on a lower ledge –
And the other was 100 m away –
The first one, the female, made a sign we have observed before. It was signalling to the male.
The male flew over, and they mated.
I had thought from their behaviour the previous visit that the Peregrines had eggs in their nest, as I basically only saw one at a time, as they seemed to swap over sitting on eggs. But this was clearly not going on this time. And they were mating. This can happen even after eggs have ben laid. But I am unable to work out if eggs have perhaps hatched – but there was no evidence during our stay of young birds being fed. We saw no food taken to the nest ledge unlike previous seasons. Or perhaps there are no eggs yet? Time will tell.
Some more nice flying –
At this point, both birds seemed to have left the area. So we started walking out.
During the afternoon, Allan had arrived and stayed to watch the Peregrine Falcons and have a chat, and also Valerie arrived in the later afternoon to watch them.