I was by myself on this visit to Malabar Headland National Park. It started as relatively quiet. I did observe both the adult Peregrine Falcons that I had gone to see. But there were no signs of any chicks. Certainly none visible. But the behaviour of the adults was consistent with them having chicks in a scrape nearby to protect.
When I arrived near Bora Point, I spotted an adult Peregrine Falcon perched on a ledge.
A short time later, it was joined by another. The second one was larger – and that made it the female.
The female didn’t stay long.
The male gave sign it was about to take off.
And it did.
And it landed a bit further along.
But soon took off again.
It flew off.
Later, a Nankeen Kestrel flew past.
And an adult Peregrine Falcon returned to the earlier ledge.
Then a short flight.
Back to the ledge.
Then back to the air –
Then it was quiet for a long time.
When i was walking out back to Maroubra Beach, I spotted a White Bellied Sea Eagle cruising near Magic Point.
It dived (Out of sight) for fish, and was unsuccessful.
But then it was being attacked. At first I thought it was be a Raven or Magpie. But no. It was one of the Peregrine Falcons that was chasing it out of territory near their probably chicks.
The Sea Eagle flew away.
But it could not outpace the Peregrine Falcon.
It looked like the Sea Eagle was clear.
But the Peregrine Falcon was not satisfied.
This had been a very interesting encounter between the two birds.