Malabar Headland – 13 October 2023

I made a visit to Malabar Headland to check on the progress of the Peregrine Falcons. I walked out from Malabar by myself, but later met Noah, another bird photographer. Much of the day was very quiet with not much action from the Peregrine Falcons, but the best was at the end of our day.

On the walk out from Malabar, I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite. It was flying to land on its usual pole perch.

It had some prey. Perhaps a lizard?

Nearby on the fence was a Welcome Swallow.

And I spotted this rather large wasp –

I arrived at the Peregrine falcon nesting area around 11 am. I soon spotted the male Peregrine Falcon perched on a ledge.

I spotted a Dolphin below –

The Peregrine Falcon stayed on its ledge until about 11:30 am, then it took off.

It landed further along the cliffs. I waited to see if it would come back. Meanwhile a few Humpback Whales passed by.

I then went for a walk out to Boora Point, but I could not find the Peregrine Falcon. When I returned, Noah, was on the cliffs, also looking for them. I soon spotted the male, perched close to were he was before.

About ten minutes later, at 12:30 pm it took off and flew away.

We then sat down and waited.

Here are some passing Little Black Cormorants –

And some more passing whales –

It was not till close to 3 pm when the Peregrine Falcon returned. It did not have any prey, and simply flew past at high speed.

More passing whales –

White-faced Heron

And another pod of whales –

Another Little Black Cormorant –

And more whales –

At 4:13 pm, the male returned. Again it had no prey.

Then at 4:16 pm, it was the female that flew past. Perhaps they had swapped duties at the nest?

She did some nice fast flying and then perched further along the cliffs.

And a few minutes later, another flight.

Then the male arrived. It was now 4:40 pm.

It landed on a ledge nearby.

But a few minutes later it took off.

And it returned about 5 pm.

But it soon took off and flew away.

We waited to see if it would return. More passing whales –

We then decided to leave. We walked out via Boora Point, and we spotted the male Peregrine Falcon perched on not far from the road. We carefully approached.

It let us get very close, and we got some nice photos.

We loved a bit further away, to see if it would take off. It gave some encouraging signs.

But then settled down again.

We had been watching it for about 20 minutes. It did not seem to mind our presence. But we had kept a respectful distance from it. Then more signs of a take-off.