A Wet Day at Malabar Headland – 19 July 2022

My previous trip to Malabar Headland had also been in bad weather and the bird life had been pretty disappointing. I can recall vowing then, not to return on wet, cold, windy days. Since that time, the east side of the National Park has been closed due to shooting at the adjacent rifle range. And it seems that since that time I had forgotten my vow.

This trip turned out to be very quiet. I saw no signs of the Peregrine Falcons, and few other birds were around except for a pair of White-bellied Sea Eagles who made a very brief visit.

I walked in from Malabar and was soon near Boora Point. But it was raining so I sheltered in cave near the Peregrine falcon nesting site. Over the next few hours I spent most of it in that cave. I was glad I had brought a book along.

Looking down, I could see a White-fronted Tern hunting for fish.

The only highlight of the day was when two White-bellied Sea Eagles flew towards me.

The never got too close, deviating out to sea.

Then they swung around and returned the way they had come.

I thought if the Peregrine Falcons had been around, then they wold have attacked the Sea Eagles and driven them away. This had not happened, so perhaps both Peregrine Falcons may have been away, or perhaps they had both been asleep, or judged the threat not sufficient? Another possibility was that one was sitting on eggs and the other was away hunting.

I did a few short walks towards magic Point and out to Boora Point, but often encountered rain – so retreated back to my overhang. On one trip, I did see this New Holland Honeyeater grab an insect in flight.