I made another visit to the cliffs of the Northern Beaches to photograph again the family of Nankeen Kestrels I had seen on my previous visit, and also any Peregrine Falcons that may be nearby.
When I arrived on the cliffs, I first heard the call of a Peregrine Falcon, but could not spot any. I later observed one perched on a part of the cliffs that I could only see from a long way off.
I did see a White-bellied Sea Eagle fly past. It had a fish.
And, way out in the bay, was a pod of Dolphins –
I then moved further along the cliffs to where I had seen the young Nankeen Kestrels on my previous visit. On the way, I saw an adult Nankeen Kestrel fly in with prey – a skink.
Then, I reached the place where the young Nankeen Kestrels had been before. I didn’t see any, but could hear at least one calling from inside the bushes. So I waited to see if they would appear. They did.
This one was calling for food –
And another of the three juveniles –
A parent is returning with more food. It looks like a beetle.
These two juveniles are fighting over the beetle. One has it, but it is dropped.
The two birds fight over it.
The bird on the right has it –
The one on the left tries to snatch it away –
It fails to grab the beetle.
Then it tries again, and is successful this time.
Some more flying –
This one is enjoying the beetle –
Now they are fighting over a bit of skink –
All three are fighting over it.
Then things go quiet. Peregrine Falcons had arrived!
First an adult.
And then a juvenile –
The adult flies past again.
The young Nankeen Kestrels keep still and quiet.
The Peregrine Falcon leave the area, so I decide to head to their nest area. On the way, I see an adult Nankeen Kestrel diving at great speed.
It is attacking the juvenile Peregrine Falcon.
The young Falcon flies off.
But is attacked again –
It keeps flying, and heads to the cliffs.
It now seems safe from attack.
A large new cruise ships heads to wards the harbour –
And an older one leaves –
The juvenile Peregrine Falcon goes for another flight.
But the Nankeen Kestrel is still present, and attacks.
And again –
The young Falcon decides to leave the area.
The last flying object I see before I head home is a helium balloon. Not a good thing to see blowing out to sea.
