It was time to make another visit to Malabar Headland National Park. My main aim was to try and photograph the breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons that are currently nesting on the headland.
It was a reasonable visit. One of the Peregrine falcons was reasonably active and I did manage to get some nice sequences of photos. It was also a chance to look for whales. And there was plenty of time to look for whales as there was a fair bit of waiting around for the Peregrine Falcon to fly.
When I arrived, there were no Peregrine Falcons to see. It was not till around noon that one appeared. I don’t know if it had been in the area earlier or it had flown in. There are a lot of ledges around that it could perch on that you cannot see. Anyway, when I spotted it, I had to wait about 30 minutes for it to take off.
Then it did something interesting. It flew down to a lower level on the cliffs, perched, and then went into a cave.
It then reappeared with a dead bird. Was the cave a larder? I don’t know. Perhaps they store dead birds around the cliffs near their nest site?
It flew off with the dead bird and landed on a more distant ledge.
I was able to approach and get some photos from above.
I didn’t want to disturb the bird from its meal, so I moved away and had my own lunch. It was then that a whale went past very close to the base of the cliffs.
I then looked for the Falcon.
It had finished feeding and had flown to a different ledge. I again waited to see if it would take off. It eventually did.
It then landed back on its original perch. It then settled down and preened its feathers.
I had a long wait, over and hour, for it to take off. There are often signs that it is about to take off – like toileting or wing stretching. This bird did both of that, and then did nothing. But eventually, it starts to stretch its wings again, and this time it did take off.
And it was worth waiting – it took off in a better direction to the first time. Towards me, rather than away.
It didn’t fly around, but went to a different ledge.
It was then time for me to head home. Another good day on the Headland.
Your photos are really stunning. Thank you for posting.
My name is Claire from Friends of Malabar Headland. I have sent your page link to our members, who are very impressed. Thanks for posting your photos for everyone to see!
Do you ever post on Face Book? I believe they own copyright if one does post photos there?
We would like to put a link on our website, or possibly one or two of your photos – could you give us permission?
(By the way, are you the David Noble who found the Wollemi Pine?)
Just checking!!
Regards
CB
Hello Claire
Thanks for your comments about my photos. I do post my photos to Facebook (to my own page, and some to the Australian Bird Photography Page). Friends of Malabar Headland are most welcome to use any of my photos – from this blog, or let me know and I can email some at higher resolution. Also – it was a different “David Noble” who was in the party that found the Wollemi Pine. I do know him, and it is coincidence that we have both done a fair bit of canyon exploration in Wollemi National Park.
Dear David,
Thanks for that. We will definitely use some of your photos on our website, and post some to FB – people will be wowed out and perhaps be tempted to become birdwatchers!
Of course I will credit you and direct people to your blog link.
Do you know if any of your fellow Birders have custody of the current “MHNP Bird List”?
When Rod Gardner lived in Maroubra, he was the keeper of the list. He left at least 10 yrs ago though.
I don’t know if you are interested in “lists” – I could send you a copy of Rod’s list if so.
Cheers
Claire Bettington.
FoMH
I have seen Rod Gardner’s bird list from 2003 – it is on your website. It has an amazing number of species on it. Very impressive.
Great set, David
Wonderful photos David – Thank you