From my previous two trips to the headland, I thought the Peregrine Falcon season was coming to a close. But this trip reversed things. I was able to observe and photograph all three members of the family. The adults were active earlier and the juvenile was very active later on.
At the start of the path from the Malabar end, I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite. This was in exactly the same place I thought I had seen one on the previous visit – but that had been a Nankeen Kestrel and then a Brown Goshawk. No mistakes this time.
A little further along some New Holland Honeyeaters were active –
I did not spot any Peregrine Falcons at the nest area whenI arrive around 10:30 am, but close to Boora Point, I spotted an adult perched on the cliffs. This was about 11:15 am.
It soon took-off and did some nice flying.
About five minutes later the second adult Peregrine Falcon arrived. I think this one is the male.
They both then perched on the cliffs in different spots.
Which one to watch? The second one to arrive (the male) took off first for some more flying.
It flew out of sight, so I turned my camera to the female.
After about 15 minutes of attentive watching, it took off.
Both Falcons had flown north-west along the cliffs, so I headed that way towards the nest area. I soon located both of them, again perched far apart.
This one took off first.
By this time, the other had flown away. I soon spotted them both again perched near Boora Point.
I approached the one perched higher and waited to see if it would take off.
A few minutes later it looked like it was preparing for flight.
This one seemed to leave the area. It was now around noon, and the other falcon was still perched on its lower ledge.
Then I looked again and noticed something different. The juvenile had taken the adult’s spot. I hadn’t seen either the adult leave, or the juvenile arrive.
I then spotted the adult, it was perched on a nearby ledge.
Both the adult and the juvenile then settled down.
Not much happened for a fair while. I got out my lunch and ate while still in sight of both birds. Around 1:30 pm I was disturbed by strange noise. I looked around to find its cause. Then I heard the same noise again. This time I saw what made it – it was made by a dolphin as it jumped right out of the sea. I saw it leave the water vertically and climb at least two metres from its tail to the water below. Incredible! My camera was ready but this action was not related. Just the more usual small jumps.
And there was more than one dolphin.
The juvenile Peregrine Falcon was starting to get restless.
It took off around 1:45 pm and flew out os sight.
It soon returned and was joined by a parent. It was hard to get a photo of both of them.
It then looked like the juvenile was trying to catch a moth.
It failed, the moth escaped.
It came in for a rest.
About ten minutes later it took off.
It landed soon after, but this time one of the adults was on its ledge. The adult had some prey.
The adult was having a nice meal.
The juvenile was begging for food, but it was being ignored by the adult.
The adult perhaps wanted to eat in peace, so after about ten minutes it took off with its meal.
The juvenile was left by itself.
About 15 minutes later the juvenile took off. It did some nice flying nearby.
It completed many very fast loops around the point.
Then it was time for it to start hunting. It started small – after another moth.
Again, it missed.
It was more successful this attempt –
And another go –
Meanwhile an adult was watching –
The juvenile continued with some amazing high speed flying.
It was quite special to watch this young bird fly so confidently. By this time, it had left the area. It was time for me to leave too.