Malabar Headland – 24 November 2019

This was another outstanding day of bird photography in Malabar Headland National Park. I was fortunate to observe some amazing displays of flying from the juvenile Peregrine Falcons. Later they were joined by a pair of Sea Eagles. Incredible to watch.

On the way out, I stopped to photograph a Golden-headed Cisticola makings its call to stake out its territory.

Some other birds on the way out, a New Holland Honeyeater and a Silvereye –

At the Peregrine Falcon nesting area, I soon located one, an adult, perched low on the cliffs –

It seemed quite settled. I looked around and photographed some other birds nearby. Two pairs of passing Cormorants –

A Sea Eagle flew out to sea.

And one of the many Superb Fairy-wrens –

I then saw a pair of Peregrine Falcon playing together in the distance on the south side of the headland.  I started walking towards them.

When I got close, they stopped flying and landed for a rest. But they soon started again.

The juvenile Peregrine falcons then flew away. Meanwhile an adult flew past and settled on the top of the cliffs.

The Peregrine falcon soon flew off out of sight. Things then quietened down, and I started looking for other birds to photograph. Here is a Shearwater flying past –

I could hear some Rufous Whistlers calling out in the heath. I left the main track and waited quietly to see if they would emerge from the thickets. While I was waiting I photographed some White’s Skinks (thanks to Ken Griffiths for the id) –

This was the best I could get of one of the Rufous Whistlers –

Leaving the heath, I headed back to where I had seen he juvenile Peregrine Falcons put on their air show. They hadn’t returned but I did spot a Sea Eagle flying into Long Bay.

It was soon made not welcome by local Ravens.

After a few minutes, I saw the Sea Eagle heading back into the bay.

It received  the same welcome and soon beat a hasty retreat.

Back on the other side of the Headland, I spotted an adult Peregrine Falcon. I waited to see if it would take-off. It did, but away from me.

I then headed back towards Magic Point. In the dyke, locals call Dead Man’s Gulch, I could see the pair of juvenile Peregrine Falcons playing together in then air once more. I got some distant shots and then started walking closer.

Sometimes, one of the Falcons would fly closer. Magic Point looks the best place to photograph them.

As I got closer to Magic Point, the juvenile Peregrine Falcon had stopped their play. I noticed some distant Sea Eagles perched on the cliffs.

And I also spotted one of the juvenile Peregrine Falcons perched having a rest.

Then one of the Sea Eagles took off and approached.

The approaching Sea Eagle brought the juvenile Peregrine Falcons into the air again. For the next ten minutes there was an amazing air show – with two Sea Eagles and four Peregrine Falcon all flying and interacting. It was hard to know the best angle to point the camera. Too much was happening!

Here one of the juvenile Falcon dives at the Sea Eagle. The Sea Eagle flies upside down in a defensive position with it’s talons deployed.

Then the juvenile Peregrine Falcons seemed to think it was more fun flying together.

The Sea Eagles were now quite distant.

The juvenile Peregrine Falcons continue their game.

The juvenile Peregrine Falcon then flew away and landed out of sight. Things quietened down, but not for long. One of the Sea Eagles flew past, white close –

It flew down and landed next to the other Sea Eagle

One then took-off.

It was joined by the other and they flew to a more remote perch.

It was time for me to start heading for home. A few last photos – a Jacky Dragon, a Superb Fairy-wren and a Black Faced Cuckooshrike.

This had been a truly amazing day – both to witness and to photograph.