Malabar Headland – 10 November 2020

After the local Cooks River bird Survey, I joined Valerie and Sue for a trip to Malabar Headland. I had told them about the Peregrine Falcon chick and they were keen to observe it. But when we arrived we had a pleasant surprise. The chick had been joined by its sibling.

The second chick must have been very recently fledged.

While we watched the chicks, a parent flew past.

The parent then landed further along the cliffs.

We waited to see if the chicks would fly. One looked like it would –

But it was a false alarm. More waiting.

Perhaps now?

No.

But this time it did take-off.

After a short flight it landed back in the same place.

Then it took off again for another flight.

And again it returned to the same place.

Then a parent tuned up with some food.

The parent delivered the food, then flew off.

The food was only given to one of the chicks. The second chick waited patiently.

Sue wondered along the cliffs to look for the parent.

Then both the chicks took-off.

One landed in a different ledge.

It must have been tired.

The parent flew past again.

Then both chicks took to the air.

One of the parents must have given the second chick some food.

Zooming in to the photos, I could spot a band on its leg. It looks it is a Rock Dove – perhaps a Racing Pigeon.

On my way out of the National Park we spotted a Nankeen Kestrel hunting for prey.