This was the next in my series of trips to Malabar Headland to photograph the Peregrine Falcons. On this occasion I was joined by Sue and we had an enjoyable and interesting day.
We met at Maroubra Beach and walked into the National Park and were soon heading towards Boora Point. The seas were quite rough on the day.
The Peregrine falcons were active during the day, but we did have some waits between the action. We would have arrived around 10 am, and soon spotted the female perched on a ledge. about ten unites later she took off.
Soon after the male appeared with some prey.
The prey must have been given to the female, as the male perched on this high ledge.
The female was preparing the food.
It flew over to the scrape with the food.
Mid-air it swapped the food to its talons.
And soon after it perched back on its original spot.
The male was still in the same spot.
About 10:45 both birds flew off at high speed towards Dead Mans Gulch. Had they seen a threat? Perhaps. When the female returned about 11 am, she remained very vigilant – watching to the west.
All of sudden the female took off again.
Here is the male returning – but looking back to the west.
The male suddenly did falling take-off.
He landed on a lower ledge.
Here is Sue watching.
Then we had a long quiet period. There was no action until about 2:15 when the female returned with some prey.
As she flew in the she looked around.
She flew around, and then flew a fair way out to sea and back.
She then did a little food preparation.
And then another short flight to deliver the food to the scrape. The prey has been identified as a Pacific Golden Plover (thanks to David Sinnott).
The male had returned to its high ledge.
And then another falling take-off –
The male then did some high speed flying. in the photo below, it seems to have some white streaks on its wing. Perhaps one of the chicks may have soiled it’s father?
after short rest the male took off again for some more high speed flying.
I got the impression that the male was putting on a flying display for the chicks. This and the fact that their food needs minimal preparation suggests that the chicks should be close to fledging.
Then both adult Peregrine Falcons left the area. We spotted them near Boora Point – on the clifftop. It looks like they had been bathing in a rockpool. Both were very wet.
The male –
The female –
Back to the male –
They both flew back to near their nest (scrape).
It was time for us to go home. It had been an interesting day. We had see no whale or dolphins – but the seas had been very rough.
Hiliarious pics of wet birds! But I suppose you’ve got to give up your dignity and regal appearance when your children defecate on you.