I spent another interesting day at Malabar Headland National Park. As on me recent visits, I was on the lookout for the resident Peregrine Falcons. I saw them – but only briefly, but I also saw another nice raptor – a Brown Falcon.
Brown Falcon
It was a good day to be at the sea cliffs. There was a powerful surf. Fine warm weather also brought out a lot of lizards and I also spotted a small Red-bellied Black Snake later in the day. It was right on a sandy part of the track.
I also a few fungi out – the so called “Horse Dung Fungus (Pisolithus arhizus) – a type of puffball – growing out of the sand.
I spotted the Brown Falcon sitting on a rock ledge at the top of a gully (caused by a dyke) just past Magic Point. The falcon was a fair way off and it looked difficult to get closer. I got a few photos of it perched on the rock and then waited – hoping it would take off. It did after about ten minutes – but if flew off in a direction that made photography difficult.
Also, at the same time, a Peregrine Falcons flew past.
I moved on and continued along the track towards Boora Head.
I looked to see if any of the family of Peregrine Falcons was in the area. I could not spot them. I then did a walk around the point and back through some of the World War II ruins.
In the bushes, I could hear the call of a Rufous Whistler. I eventually managed to get a few photos of it.
I then found a shady spot to have lunch and where I could look out for any returning Peregrine Falcons. No luck with them however. I then made my way slowly back to Magic Point. I looked in the gully area for the Brown Falcon – without spotting it. But when i got close to Magic Point – I saw it fly past. I was able to get some photos of it –
It then perched back in the gully, so I moved back looking for it. Before I found it, I saw two Peregrine Falcons flying by. An adult and a juvenile. I got a few photos of them and tried to see where they were going.
I walked back to their roosting area – but they didn’t perch there. So I headed back to look for the Brown Falcon. I spotted it on the cliffs, but it soon flew off to a more remote perch.
So, time to head home. On the way, I was fortunate this time to get some photos of small bird I knew resided near the park gate. I had often seen it perched high on a stick – calling out – but it is shy and has not remained long enough too photograph. This time, I succeeded. It was a nice Golden-headed Cisticola.
