Raptors on Malabar Headland – 24 September 2023

This was one of the rare Sundays when the eastern section of Malabar Headland National Park was open. So I decide to make a visit. I walked in from Malabar this time.

At Malabar Headland, I normally photograph the Peregrine Falcons, and perhaps a few passing whales. This time I had a bonus – a pair of juvenile Black-shouldered Kites and a Swamp Harrier.

On the walk in from Malabar, I spotted the pair of juvenile Black-shouldered Kites perched on a pole –

I waited nearby to see if they would take-off. I could hear a Rufous Whistler –

Then suddenly, another raptor appeared. It was a Swamp Harrier.

It circled around the pole the Kites were perched on and then flew out of sight. I had not been acting the Kites, and I expected them to take-off, and they had. I photographed them returning to their perch.

Then the Swamp Harrier appeared again. It was scanning their ground for prey.

I was fortunate that it was approaching. It looked up.

I think the Black-shouldered Kites were happy to see it fly off.

So was this New Holland Honeyeater –

And this Grey Butcherbird –

I then made my way to the Peregrine Falcon nesting area, and I was astonished to see the pair of juvenile Black-shouldered Kites were hunting there. I thought there was a good chance they would be attacked by a Peregrine Falcon.

When the Kites left, I looked along the cliffs and soon located the male Peregrine Falcon.

I don’t think it was in position to see the hunting Kites.

It looked like it was about to take-off.

But then it settled back down.

Then the Black-shouldered Kites returned.

Again, I think they were not in the Peregrine Falcons visual field.

Now the Peregrine Falcon started stretching its wings.

And I was ready for its take-off.

It flew out of sight towards Boora Point. A few minutes later it returned in a very high speed pass.

And this time flew off towards Magic Point.

I settled down to wait. A White-faced Heron with a fish flew past –

Then the Peregrine falcon returned and flew past.

It circled around, and flew back at a much slower speed. It was looking around.

It was not too late in the day, but that was the last I saw of either of the Peregrine Falcons. I only saw the male. I expected it to return with food – for the female or to feed chicks. But while I was there, I didn’t see it come back. I was not there the whole time however and it may have returned and not been seen by me. But I do have concerns about the nest status. Perhaps no hatched eggs this season? I will have to wait and see if there are any fledglings.

Below, there was a large flock of Silver Gulls –

And I did see the Black-shouldered Kites again –

A pair of Caspian Terns flew past –

And more of the Black-shouldered Kites –

I later saw one hunting near Dead Mans Gulch, so walked over that way. On the way, I spotted a lot more orchids – Slender Onion Orchids –  Microtis parviflora –

This Kite was hunting –

The Black-shouldered Kite dived and caught a skink –

I went back to wait for the Peregrine Falcon to return. I did see a few passing whales –

And there had been small bushfire on the headland!

I left around 4pm to walk back to Malabar. On the way, I saw one of the Kites fly past –