Malabar Headland – 3 October 2022

Another excellent day spent on Malabar Headland observing the Peregrine Falcons. This time I was accompanied by Valerie and Sue. Fine weather was forecast.

We walked out from Maroubra Beach. There were a lot of surf board riders waiting for a wave.

We soon arrived at the Peregrine Falcon nesting area. But we found there was a large group of young people there setting up ropes and tapes for some high-lining. This is a no no! The people that set up the high lining bolts here put on the Sydney high-lining website that the site is only to be used outside the Peregrine falcon breeding season. So not to be used from June to December. I discussed the issue with some of them and they were very reasonable, agreeing to move to the site near Magic Point.

Meanwhile, the female Peregrine Falcon was perched nearby looking concerned.

As soon as the group moved away, the Peregrine Falcon flew down to a lower perch and seemed to settle down.

We had an interesting time watching her. After a while, it seemed to get restless and would go on a short flight.

It was a warm day, so we looked in a nearby pile of rubble for the Red-bellied Black Snake we had seen there the previous season. So far I have not seen it this season. We did see a White’s Skink –

Back to the Peregrine Falcon. She seemed to notice something –

A short time late she took off.

I don’t know what she had seen, but assort time later she flew past.

This time she landed on the top of the cliffs.

These highway perches are much better for take-off photos. So I slowly approached and waited for her to take to the air.

She landed on another high perch.

And landed back on her rock.

Meanwhile, Sue wandered over to look at the high liners at Magic Point.

Then a Pelican cruised past.

The Pelican must have been a bit close to the Peregrine’s nest as the male flew after it and it deviated from its course.

The male Peregrine Falcon then seemed to take over the guard duty.

The high liners were busy –

It seemed a quiet time, so we went on a walk to see if we could spot any Sun Orchids in flower. Along the way, on the south side of the headland, we spotted a Brown Goshawk –

We saw a lot of Sun Orchids, but they either had buds or closed (fertilised) flowers. This is the closest we got to flowers –

And here is a Jacky Dragon –

Back at the Peregrine Falcon area, we saw a few distant whales breeching.

And the female is back on guard duty.

Then Sue spotted some Dolphins –

Another take-off.

And some Dolphin action –

A long way out at sea, we spotted a large number of birds, Shearwaters and Silver Gully circling about some baitfish.

And a famous tugboat, the SL Diamantina, cruised past on its way to Botany Bay. This tugboat was recently involved in an incident rescuing a bulk-carrier off Royal National Park.

Back to the Falcons.

The female performed some very fast flying close to out spot.

It was time for us to head home. On the way we stopped a few times to watch the high liners.

And another view of the recent cliff collapse. It occurred before 16 September 2022.

It had been a great day. Thanks to Sue and Valerie for company during the day, and also to Valerie for a lift to and from Maroubra.