I spent a nice day out on Malabar Headland, accompanied by Sue, and later by Alana. I was hoping to see and photograph the resident Peregrine Falcons, but this time it was the other raptors that starred.
Here is a Great Cormorant-
On the walk out we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel –
It was one we had seen on our previous visit, and we had watched it fly into a nest hollow in the cliffs. It did this again.
Then the male Nankeen Kestrel arrived with some food.
After some calling, it flew to the nest –
And it then left. Here the female is eating, perhaps a grasshopper?
Then we spotted a different raptor. It was a Swamp Harrier –
And two swimming Seals –
We saw an adult Peregrine Falcon fly past at high speed, and a long way off. It looked like it was hunting.
We then continued on to the Peregrine Falcon area. After a wait, we spotted one on the cliffs. It was the adult female –
I was annoyed to miss it taking off. We saw no more Peregrine Falcons that visit.
Walking back, late in the day, we spotted two Seals sleeping on the rocks –
And a bit further away, another Seal –
We looked at the Nankeen Kestrel nest –
And just outside the National Park gate, Alana spotted this beautiful Black-shouldered Kite –
Hi David
I went to Malabar on Wednesday and found that I couldn’t get in it seems to be locked up and built up and the old car park had disappeared so I left and went back to Adelaide a day early
Do you now have to go in from the north? I saw you hadn’t been there lately so I assumed nothing was happening.with the Perigrines again
I may be back in Sydney in the next couple of weeks catch tell me exactly where to park
Your photos just as good as ever
Best wishes Ian Mclachlan at
As far as I know – there have been no changes at the southern (Malabar) entrance to the Park. This is at the end of Fishermans Road. I have not been that way for couple of months but think it very unlikely that access would have changed. Once in the park, at the top of the hill, the artillery track, past the old WWII gun emplacements has been closed for a while (due to safety reasons). I usually enter from the north – via Maroubra Beach – in order to photograph more raptors – Kestrels and a Black-shouldered Kite. But the way in is longer. The Peregrines have been fairly quiet while I have been there recently. No sign of fledged chicks. But behaviour consistent with nesting. And its worth checking for closures at – https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/malabar-headland-national-park/local-alerts