Malabar Headland – 2 September 2019

I spent another day out on Malabar Headland. My main aim was to photograph the resident pair of Peregrine Falcons.

I walked out fairly early towards Boora Point. On the way, there were not many birds out. At the Falcon nesting area, I spotted one of the Falcons sitting on a ledge and managed a few photos before it flew away to a ledge out of sight (the nest site). I then met David, another bird photographer that I had met before at Oatley Park and on my previous visit to Malabar Headland.

For most of the day, it was fairly quiet as regards the Peregrine Falcons. There only seemed to be one around, and that one stayed hidden most fo the time. Maybe eggs have hatched and the bird wants to stay near the nest? Where was the second adult? It did not seem to be around. I have since heard that when the eggs hatch, the male leaves for a few days. I am not sure if this is correct or not, but it seems possible. Perhaps the chicks bond with their mother during this time?

At one stage, some Ravens flew down close to the nesting area. This would not be tolerated it both Peregrine Falcons were around.

There were a few photo opportunities. At one stage, the Peregrine flew onto a ledge high up and relatively close to us.

Meanwhile, below, there were quite a few interesting things to observe. We saw a number of seals, they all seemed to be sleeping.

And we saw several schools of fish. They were really close together – what are called “Bait Balls”, and we think the predominant fish was Silver Trevally.