I joined Sue and Valerie for a visit to Malabar Headland, and at last it looked like things may be picking up as far as the pair of Peregrine Falcons are going.
Before we had reached the National Park entrance near Maroubra Beach, we spotted a raptor. It was a Swamp Harrier –
But it was being harried by a very brave Willy Wagtail –
We then proceeded out past Magic Point to the Peregrine Falcon nesting area. We soon spotted the adult female perched on one of her usual ledges –
Dale, a fellow bird photographer was also out on the cliffs. We had met him the previous season. Later we were also joined by Alana, on her daily walk. She stayed and chatted. And later, another bird photographer, Gokay, arrived to also shoot the peregrines.
And then we spotted the male perched nearby –
It then flew over closer to the female, but on a lower ledge –
The female then took off –
Then the male took off.
And then some nice flying.
A very fast stoop –
The female then went back to her old ledge –
The male headed off and appeared to be hunting.
The female was still on her ledge when we left.
This visit had been a lot better than recent previous trips to the Headland where we had seen little activity from the Peregrine Falcons. This time, both birds were near the nest, so that is a sign there may be a chick or chicks. We also thought we heard a chick calling at one time.