Media release
Issued by the RSPB and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority – April 8, 2014
Tour de France riders up against
competition
World-famous Tour de France cyclists riding through the Yorkshire Dales National
Park in July will be facing some stiff competition in the speed league tables.
An estimated 400,000 spectators will be lining the route of the Grand Départ as it
wends its way through the stunning landscape on July 5 and 6.
But there will be another set of speedsters vying for public attention – two Peregrine
falcons.
The birds have recorded speeds of more than 200 miles an hour – about three times
as fast as a cheetah – and have earned themselves the title of the fastest animals on
the planet.
Once again, a pair is nesting in Malham Cove and, over the coming months, they will
hopefully be rearing young and teaching them how to survive.
As in previous years, RSPB and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA)
staff and volunteers will be manning a special, free viewing point where visitors to
the cove can watch the spectacular birds through high-powered telescopes.
The viewpoint will be open from Saturdays to Wednesday inclusive between
10.30am and 4.30pm (weather permitting) until August 2.
National Park Authority Wildlife Conservation Officer Ian Court said: “This year will
see thousands more visitors in the National Park than usual because of the Grand
Départ, and we are hoping some of them will stay long enough to explore other
areas and come to see the Peregrines at the cove. The birds are a fantastic crowdpuller for the village of Malham and they certainly help boost the local economy.
“They have moved their nest site this year to the right-hand side of the cove. Despite
the fact we can’t see into the nest, we think there may already be some eggs
because we have seen plenty of change-overs and food being brought into the
female.”
Ella Dixon, the RSPB’s Yorkshire People Engagement Officer, said: “The Peregrines
really are incredible birds to watch and it’s great to be able to offer visitors to Malham
Cove the chance to see them up close.
“Last year they raised three chicks, so we are hoping they will be successful again –
providing us with another season of exciting activity to follow.
“Although they have moved nest sites on the cove, the public should still get some
good views through our telescopes and volunteers will be on hand throughout the
season to tell you the story of this fascinating bird of prey.''
As in previous years, visitors are being asked to stay away from the nest site and the
British Mountaineering Council has once again agreed to impose temporary,
voluntary rock climbing restrictions around it. An area at the top of the cliff has also
been sealed off and visitors are asked to follow any on-site signage.
Since it started in 2003, more than 184,000 people have visited the viewpoint.
As well as the Peregrines, Green Woodpeckers and Great Spotted Woodpeckers are
frequent visitors and the first House Martins and Redstarts are expected any time
now along with 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 will be providing 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 RSPB’s Facebook pages.
-EndsNote to newsdesk
Please credit the attached images as shown in the filename. All three were taken last year
(2013). Peregrine 3 shows visitors at the viewpoint.
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
Notes to editors
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.