Visitors to Malham Cove in 2008 will again be given the chance to see breeding Peregrine Falcons through an ongoing partnership between the (RSPB) and the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
"Clint" and "Gryke", the 2006 chicks take their maiden flights, © Carl Watts,
RSPB
The Cove has hosted a pair of Peregrine Falcons since 1993 and for the last few years, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Yorkshire Dales National Park have run a special viewpoint, as part of the Society’s Aren’t birds brilliant! scheme. Last year, nearly 29,000 people flocked to Malham to watch the birds.
A team of RSPB staff, supported by volunteers from the RSPB and National Park, will be on site every day from 22 March to 27 July and again from 23 – 31 August to show people the fantastic birds. Optical equipment (telescopes and binoculars) will be provided to help visitors get the most of their visit.
Peregrine Falcon at Malham Cove, © Joe Cuthbert.
The project is part of the RSPB's Aren't Birds Brilliant! Programme of events, which make rare and spectacular birds accessible for everyone to see. As well as the peregrines, visitors to Malham can expect to see green woodpeckers, little owls, redstarts and cliff-nesting house martins.
FACTFILE
- • RSPB Information Officers and a team of enthusiastic volunteers will be on hand everyday (weather permitting!) between 10.30am and 4.30pm from the 22 March until July 27 with high-powered telescopes and binoculars to give visitors a close-up view of the stunning peregrine falcons nesting there.
- During the early summer, the area around Malham Cove becomes the peregrine's hunting and training ground and this gives everyone at the foot of the cliff a fantastic display of their speed and power. The peregrine is the largest British falcon and can reach speeds of around 180kph (112mph) when it 'stoops' after prey. These fantastic falcons are so fast that, to avoid injury on impact, they catch their prey mid-air with stunning displays of aerobatics.
- The best place to start your visit is at the Malham National Park Centre, where you can get updates about how the peregrines are getting on and check on the viewing times.
- An easy walk from the Malham National Park Centre to the foot of the Cove will give you a special opportunity to see these birds at close quarters. The Information Officers will also be able to point out other birds at the Cove, such as little owl or a laughing green woodpecker. Redstarts and large numbers of house martins also make the Cove their home. We look forward to welcoming you to the peregrine viewpoint!
"Peregrine chicks at malham Cove ©
RSPB
"Information Assistant at the Cove ©
RSPB
MALHAM PEREGRINE FALCON DIARY
This year, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Website is hosting an ongoing web diary of the activities at the nest. It will be regularly updated as the season goes on so is well worth visiting for the latest updates. Click here to view the diary.
Peregrine Falcon at Malham Cove, © Joe Cuthbert.
