This is the time of year when I would normally spend a lot of time out on Malabar Headland photographing juvenile Peregrine Falcons. But this season, their nesting seems to have been unsuccessful. This is something that is common with many birds. But I was happy to make another visit, and joined Sue out on the cliffs.
The weather forecast was not the best. we expected some rain – and we did get a little. But there are some good overhangs out near Boora Point that offer refuge from the elements.
I had walked in from Malabar, and Sue walked in from Maroubra Beach and we met near Boora Point. After scanning the cliffs in various places, we spotted no Peregrine Falcons, so sat down to wait to see if any turned up.
Sue then spotted a raptor flying our way. We thought at the time it was probably a Sea Eagle. But looking at the photos showed it was an Osprey.
Then two more Ospreys appeared.
They were perhaps checking out the cliffs to see if any Peregrine Falcons were about.
One of the Osprey flew south, and the other tow flew out to sea.
We settled back down with our waiting.
A storm passed over – and it too went out to sea.
It was not till later in the afternoon, that we saw a Peregrine Falcon.
It was an adult and flew past, towards Maroubra.
Later we spotted, probably the same bird, perched on the cliffs near the nest area.
we waited to see if it would take off. It spent a lot of time preening, and then seemed quite settled.
Then, all of sudden, a second Peregrine Falcon appeared. It circled around and flew off. The one on the cliffs took off and pursued it at high speed.
Perhaps, the second Peregrine Falcon had strayed into the first one’s territory? Or perhaps it was the mate of the first returning?
We scanned the cliffs a lot more but saw no sign of any perched Falcons.
On our walk back to Maroubra, we spotted a distant Black-shouldered Kite –
