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Enjoy the wildlife at Malham Cove
Enjoy the wildlife at Malham Cove
Malham Cove in the rolling Yorkshire Dales National Park is home to one of wildlife's greatest spectacles. A family of birds of prey nesting there is bringing people from around the world together to enjoy the site.
Already this year, more than 20,000 people have visited a special viewpoint at the Cove to watch a pair of nesting peregrine falcons. The RSPB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) have set up the viewpoint, which gives people a chance to see the falcons through powerful telescopes.
This year the nesting peregrines have reared two chicks, which have been nicknamed ‘Splish’ and ‘Splash’ by local people – a reflection on the wet weather that the nesting peregrines have faced this year!
The four falcons are currently wowing visitors with their stunning flying displays. The adult birds are training their youngsters how to catch their own food and the resulting high-speed aerobatics are an amazing spectacle.
The appeal of the peregrines – the fastest animals on earth - has attracted a stream of overseas visitors to the viewpoint. On just one day, the Peregrine Watch team welcomed visitors from as far afield as Italy, Holland, Oman, Canada, USA, Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Ukraine.
The Peregrine Watch will be running daily from 10.30am until 4.30pm; 23rd to 31st August – and it’s all free!
Matthew Capper, the RSPB’s People Engagement Officer, said: “Watching spectacular wildlife has a universal appeal and everyone enjoys seeing birds of prey in action. It’s great news that birds like peregrine falcons can bring people together from different countries and different cultures. The stunning backdrop of Malham Cove is an amazing place to watch these exciting birds and we’re delighted that Malham’s peregrines are proving to be a popular attraction in the Dales.”
Ian Court, YDNPA Wildlife Conservation Officer added: “Despite the poor weather, it is very pleasing to report that the peregrines at Malham Cove have for the second year running, successfully fledged two young. We are delighted that over the season, large numbers of visitors to the site have once again been treated to spectacular views of these magnificent birds.”
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, wheatears, and cliff-nesting house martins.
Click here to see stunning images and learn the facts about the project, as well as get information about the peregrines and all other wildlife likely to be seen in the Malham area.
The RSPB has launched a campaign calling for an end to the illegal killing of birds of prey and asking members of the public to support its work to protect birds of prey. For more information click on www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey
