Malabar Headland – 1 December 2022

I had the afternoon free, so set off again to visit Malabar Headland. I was keen to get more photos of the Peregrine Falcons, but they were not that active. But a passing White-bellied Sea Eagle livened things up a bit.

I arrived around 3:30, and met Biggles out on the cliffs. He had seen one of the juveniles and a parent. He was worried about the other juvenile – was it still alive? Apparently about 50% of juvenile Peregrine Falcons die in their first year after fledging. It is a  dangerous life they lead.

We both waked along the cliffs, and we did spot an adult Peregrine Falcon flash past –

We later saw it perched on the cliffs. It was the male.

Later, we saw it perched on the side of Dead Mans Gulch. It had some prey. Fresh or cached? We did not know.

We then spotted both of the juveniles perched in different places on the cliffs.

Biggles was relieved that there were two still. They then did some flying. This was about 5:30 pm.

And a minute or two later, I spotted a White-bellied Sea Eagle flying in the bay between Boora and Magic Points. It was slowly coming our way. Later when looking at the photos, I could see a second bird – a Peregrine Falcon flying nearby.

The Sea Eagle then wheeled around –

It suddenly had a fish.

It was still distant, but slowly coming closer. We watched it with our cameras to see if it would he attacked by the Peregrine Falcons.

The Sea Eagle suddenly changed course and climbed.

A juvenile Peregrine Falcon was bearing down on it.

The Sea Eagle took evasive action, but did not want to drop its catch.

The Sea Eagle was last seen heading off, with the two juvenile Peregrine Falcons in tow.

Then things quietened down. We went for a walk along the cliffs, and Biggles spotted one of the juveniles perched on the clifftop.

It then flew off.

It was time for Biggles to head for home. I had a bit more time, so wandered around a bit more. I later met Alana at Dead Mans Gulch, and she has spotted one of  the juveniles perched there –

It was then time for me to walk back to Maroubra. On the way I heard the call of a Golden-headed Cisticola. It stayed around long enough for me to get some photos –