Media release
Issued by the RSPB and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority – July 16, 2014
200,000 visitors have seen Malham Cove
Peregrines
The Peregrine viewing scheme at Malham Cove – a partnership between the
Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) and the RSPB – has welcomed its
200,000th visitor since it began in 2003.
Over the years the project has been showing people some of the spectacular wildlife
in and around the Cove, at the same time raising awareness of the wildlife and
nature conservation issues in the National Park.
Visitors to the Cove are able to see a range of upland bird species but it is the
nesting Peregrine Falcons that are the star attraction.
Project staff and a dedicated group of volunteers have been on hand with telescopes
in all weathers to showcase the spectacular birds of prey as they raise their chicks
and to highlight the work of the YDNPA and RSPB.
With four young Peregrines raised this season, it has been another hugely
successful year.
John and Lindsey Eccles from Aberdeenshire and their children Cameron, Michael
and Andrew came along to the viewpoint just at the right time and walked away with
a goody bag or two of gifts.
“We’ve had a fantastic day out in the National Park and then to come to the
viewpoint and see the Peregrines and get a gift is the icing on the cake,” John said.
Authority Wildlife Conservation Officer Ian Court said: “It’s a huge achievement to
reach this landmark figure and we are really pleased, especially as 2014 marks the
60th anniversary of the creation of the National Park.
“The popularity of these birds has never waned. As well as first-time visitors, many
people have made several visits to the Cove during the season and come back year
after year to keep track of their progress. And the figure includes more than 35,000
children who have stopped to see a Peregrine – many for the first time.”
Kate Struthers, RSPB Yorkshire People Engagement Officer, said: “It’s fantastic that
there have been 200,000 visitors to the Malham viewpoint. The birds have had an
incredible year and provided such a spectacle, with food passes and aerial displays
really adding to the visitor experience that keeps bringing people back."
The viewpoint will be open from Saturday to Wednesday (closed Thursday and
Friday) until August 3 so visitors still have an opportunity to see the Peregrines at the
Cove this season.
As well as the Peregrines, Green Woodpeckers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers are
frequent visitors along with House Martins, Redstarts, Swallows and Little Owls.
The Malham project is run in partnership with the YDNPA as part of the RSPB’s Date
with Nature programme of events, which makes rare and spectacular birds and
animals accessible for everyone to see.
Volunteers at the viewpoint provide weekly updates on a special National Park
Authority website at www.malhamperegrines.org.uk and the birds are featured on
Twitter using @malhamperegrine and on the Malham Peregrine Watch Facebook
page.
-Ends-
Note to newsdesk
Photo shows John and Lindsey Eccles and their children. Please credit photo
courtesy of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
For more information or to arrange interview, please contact
Bethan Burke, RSPB Communications Manager: 01524 581026 or 07793 902 590, email
bethan.burke@rspb.org.uk
Nick Oldham, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Media Officer: 01756 751616, email
nick.oldham@yorkshiredales.org.uk
PEREGRINE FALCON FACT FILE

The Peregrine is the largest of British breeding falcon. It is 38-48 cm long, and its
wingspan is 95-110 cm. The female is considerably larger than the male. The upper
parts are dark blue-grey, and the under parts are pale with fine, dark bars. The head has
a black ‘hood’ with black moustache-like markings on the face. Juvenile birds are
browner and heavily streaked below

Peregrines typically pair for several years and may live up to 10 years old - the oldest on
record was 15 years and 6 months old

Both adult birds tend the young, which take their first flight after 5 or 6 weeks

Peregrines feed on medium sized birds, which they catch in high-speed aerial stoops –
although more often than not they fail to make a kill

Peregrine numbers crashed in the 1960s due to the impact of pesticides. Peregrines
have now increased in numbers, to about 1,300 breeding pairs in the UK.