I thought it still worth visiting malabar Headland to see the juvenile Peregrine Falcons, although it must be getting near the end of the “season” – the time period the juveniles are still relatively close to the nest area, and so easy to spot and observe.
This time, I was again joined by Sue. It turned out to be a very worthwhile visit – I was able to get a good set of photographs of the juvenile Peregrine falcons interacting. And we later saw a Sea Eagle fly past, and we finished by spotting a pair of juvenile Buff-banded Rails. But things started off very quiet. We walked out to arrive near Boora Point around noon. On the way, we had no been able to spot any of the Peregrine Falcon family.
Far out at sea, we could see some Shearwaters –
And about 1:30 pm, we saw an adult Peregrine Falcon, the female, perched on the cliffs.
Next, we saw some helicopters fly past. First an Army MRH-90 –
Then a Navy MH-60R Seahawk –
We later saw them flying back south.
It was not until 2:52 that the juvenile Peregrine Falcons appeared. For the next 8 minutes they did some of their amazing flying –
And their show was punctuated by another aircraft flying past. It was a Czech made jet trainer – L39 Albatros –
Back to the real air show –
Then the juveniles headed to a ledge to rest.
At 3;12 pm, we saw a White-bellied Sea Eagle fly past. It was a fair way out to sea, and we watched it to see if the Peregrine Falcons would fly out to it and encourage it to leave (as they have done before). But this time they didn’t.
We climbing down to a lower point, and found we could see the reseting juvenile Peregrine Falcons.
And, the female was still in its same perch –
We then waited to see if any of the birds would fly again.
We had to wait for about 50 minutes. At 4:14 pm, one of the juveniles we for a short flight.
It landed nearby.
Then at 4:44 pm, it took off again –
And it was soon (at 4:50 pm) followed by its sibling –
They then flew over Magic Point. Shane, another bird photographer, was there to record their action –
Sue and myself walked closer to them, but by the time we arrived there, only one was flying.
It was time for us to walk back to Maroubra. On the way, we stopped off at the sediment retention pond just about side the park entrance. The Australian Reed Warblers were calling and we saw one in the reeds –
Sue was watching some ducks, when she saw some movement behind them. I quickly turned my camera in that direction, and was fortunate to photograph one of a pair of juvenile Buff-banded Rails –
This had been another very good visit. Thanks to Sue for doing me.