Malabar Headland Visit – 4 September 2020

It was time for another visit to Malabar Headland. This time I was accompanied by Gary, Allen, Geoff, Eve and Zik. They were all keen to see the Peregrine Falcons that are nesting on the headland. Before heading off – I had warned them that there are no guarantees that you will see these magnificent birds on any visit – but as it turned out, we were indeed fortunate. The Falcons put on a good display.

On the way out, at Magic Point, we spotted a Sea Eagle perched on the cliffs. As we approached, it flew off and circled around and landed at another spot further away. We were able to get some photos –

It had landed on the far side the large volcanic dyke – Dead Man’s Gulch. We started walking over that way.

We got a different angle – but were not really any closer.

We continued walking out to near boor Point. Here is one of the many New Holland Honeyeaters –

At the Peregrine Falcon nesting site, we spotted one of the pair straight away – perched on a lower ledge.

We waited with our cameras ready to see if it would take-off. Eventually, it started some encouraging stretches.

But it looked like a false alarm.

Then it looked out to sea. Had it spotted something? All of a sudden it took off – we all missed it – we were trying to see what the falcon had seen.

It soon landed back on closer perch.

This time I got a nice take-off sequence –

It may have visited the nest ledge which is out of sight. And it may have changed places with its mate. Anyway – a Peregrine Falcon appeared on the original perch.

Again – I missed it taking off.

But I got the next one –

Here is Allen and Zik –

And perhaps some more swapping of nest duties?

The others were well satisfied with what they had seen and photographed. I stayed – and some more waiting for another take-off.

By now, it was time for me to start for home. It had been raining on and off most of the day which made photography a bit hard.

On the way home, I wanted to stop off at Centennial Park for a look at the Powerful Owls, so I didn’t want to leave too late.

At Dead Man’s Gulch I spotted another raptor. I think this one is a Brown Goshawk. The first I have seen on the headland.

And on the rocks below were some seals.

I spotted some more seals swimming close to the end of Magic Point.

And in the heath was a pair of yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. Here is one of them –

And lastly, a Red Wattlebird. It made sudden swoop for an insect.