Raptors and Whales – Malabar Headland – 2 October 2023

Valerie joined me for a very interesting and  enjoyable day spent on Malabar Headland. The main aim was to look at the resident Peregrine Falcons, but during our visit we saw a lot more.

On my last visit, on the walk out from Malabar, I had spotted two juvenile Black-shouldered Kites perched on an old pole. I was hoping they would be on the same pole, but when I looked there were no birds perched there. But as we were walking up, right on cue, a Black-shouldered Kite landed on the pole. I was one of the juveniles.

Would it take off? We waited a short time, and it obliged.

It hovered nearby for a while, then flew across the bay to the golf course.

We continued on the track to the cliffs.

New Holland Honeyeater 

Copper-tailed Skink

When we arrived at the Peregrine Falcon nesting area, around 10 am, we scanned the cliffs with binoculars, but could not see any birds. So we waited.

A large flock of Little Black Cormorants were flying past, far out to sea.

Then, all of sudden, around 11:15 am, the male Peregrine Falcon arrived with prey.

Then it was joined by the female. It must have been on the nest ledge.

They both flew out of sight around the corner. A few minutes later the male returned and perched on the cliffs to rest and preen.

A few Humpback Whales passed by on their way south.

Just after noon, the Peregrine Falcon stretched its wings ready for take-off.

It flew in to a ledge out of sight.

More passing Humpback Whales –

Then another Peregrine Falcon flew past. It was the female. The time was 12:42 pm.

It circled around a bit.

down, near the water, was a Pelican –

We spotted the female Peregrine Falcon again at 12:50 pm –

More Humpback Whales –

Now there was a bit of a lull, so we walked along the cliffs to see if we could spot any birds.

We saw the Slender Onion Orchids – Microtis parviflora, growing near Dead Mans Gulch –

Below, we spotted a Reef Egret –

And more passing Humpback Whales –

Then a bit of a lull. We waited till 3:18 pm when the male Peregrine Falcon appeared again. It flew past, circled around and then flew past again with a fast fly by.

Then, more Humpback Whales appeared, and demanded our attention.

As we were watching these whales, a White-bellied Sea Eagle flew past. This was at 4 pm.

As the Sea Eagle flew past the Peregrine Falcon nesting area, there was sudden screech from the male Peregrine Falcon. It flew out from the cliffs, and then flew at very high speed towards the Sea Eagle.

The Sea Eagle “legged” it.

We saw them both flying far out to sea.

So back to the Humpback Whale pod –

But again, we were distracted. This time by a pod of Dolphins. They were putting on an amazing display –

When the Dolphins left the area, we again watched the pod of Humpback Whales –

We then started walking back to Malabar. On the way out, the birds we saw mirrored the ones we saw on the way in.

New Holland Honeyeater

And on the old pole, there was a juvenile Black-shoudered Kite eating its prey (a skink?).

Another day experiencing Nature on Malabar Headland. Thanks to Valerie for company on the day and a lift out and back.