Malabar Headland – 13 October 2025

I spent a most amazing day out on the sea cliffs of Malabar Headland National Park with Sue, and later Alana. We witnessed a truly astonishing display of Nature in action. The weather was very pleasant. Not too hot and with a nice breeze. Although it later became quite windy.

Perhaps the most incredible thing we saw were two large pods of Humpback Whales cruising past, just below the cliffs. One pod seemed to be large adults racing each other near  or on the surface. Incredible to witness so close. But we also saw a lot of Dolphins. I think at one time about 50 went past us. And although the Peregrine Falcons were not active most of the time, we did witness one attacking some Ravens.

Near the park gate, we could hear a Golden-headed Cisticola. We soon spotted it calling to stake out its territory.

Superb Fairy-wren

Great Cormorant

Here are some of the first lot of Dolphins we saw –

And some Humpback Whales –

I saw a flying Peregrine Falcon land on the cliffs a bit further along –

It did not seem to stay there long.

Then an Osprey went past flying towards Maroubra Beach, then, a bit later, it came back –

Then we had some more passing Humpback Whales –

Then I spotted a pod of Humpback Whales speeding straight towards where  we were.

It was incredible to watch and hear these huge animals as they went past just below us. My telephoto lens was not wide enough to fit them in.

After this pod had passed by, the Peregrine Falcon action started. A number of Ravens, probably deliberately, had been flying close to where the Peregrine Falcons are nesting. Perhaps Ravens do this sort of risky behaviour to rise up their pecking order?

But suddenly a Peregrine Falcon appeared. It fly very fast diving at the Ravens and scattering them. The Ravens all seemed to be cowering in the heath, while the Peregrine Falcon repeated a series of very fast dives.

A lot of the Peregrine Falcon flying had been too fast to photograph!

After things quietened down a bit, we walked out o Boora Point. Her we saw some Kelp Gulls –

And then a pair of Humpback Whales went past. They seed mot be trying to outdo each other with breaching. Unfortunately they were not that close.

It was then that the big pod of Dolphins went past. I think there must have been at least 50 of them.

Then, we were startled by hearing a lot noise of a breaching whale hitting the water. I missed photographing that, but got the next breach.

Humpback Whale

This whale was part of the next big pod that passed by very close to the cliffs.

Caspian Tern

And now more Humpback Whales in this second big pod –

This one seems to be swimming inverted –

That was another amazing experience!

It was now staring to get very windy, with blown sand and other grit hitting us, so we decide to walk back to Maroubra Beach.

We saw two Seals resting on the rocks at the bottom of Dead Mans Gulch.

And then we were entertained by the call of this Rufous Whistler –

New Holland Honeyeater

And some of the Flannel Flowers –

At Magic Point, we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel –

And another raptor. Alana spotted this Black-shouldered Kite near the pond close to the park entrance.

And some of the phone video I took of the Humpback Whales –