A peregrine chick at Malham in a previous year. Photo Neil Aldridge
Three new arrivals in the Yorkshire Dales are proving popular with visitors.
The peregrine falcon chicks born to parents on Malham Cove are now taking to the skies to provide an added spectacle for outdoor enthusiasts at the 80m (260ft) limestone crag.
But climbers and photographers are being warned not to disturb the chicks.
The British Mountaineering Council has agreed a voluntary ban on climbing routes around the nesting site and an area at the top of the crag has been sealed off.
Visitors, in particular photographers, are being asked to play their part in helping this year’s nesting attempt by not getting too close to the nest site.
Peregrine falcons started nesting at Malham Cove 18 years ago and since then they have raised 37 young. Last year, 16,500 visitors came to a specially set-up viewpoint, which is manned by Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds staff and volunteers between 10.30am and 4.30pm from Wednesdays to Sundays inclusive – weather permitting – until 31 July, where people can watch the birds through high-powered telescopes.
Ian Court, one of the park authority’s wildlife conservation officers, said: “It is great news that the young birds are now starting to fly. It means that over the coming weeks, visitors to the viewpoint will be treated to spectacular views of the birds as they practise their flying skills overhead.
“There will be a lot to see as the parent birds gradually teach them the finer points of flying and hunting.”
Carolyn Jarvis, the RSPB’s people engagement manager for Northern England, said: “It’s wonderful to see another successful year for the Malham peregrines. They really are amazing birds to watch, especially in flight and in such a beautiful setting.
“However, if people can’t get down there, they can see some great images on the Malham Peregrine Watch Facebook group so should check that out too.”
Peregrines are the fastest animals in the world and have been recorded at speeds over 200mph (322kph), about three times as fast as a cheetah.
North Yorkshire Police will be working closely with the YDNPA and RSPB to protect the birds and are advising visitors to the Cove to look out for and take notice of any signs at the site.
More details on the Malham peregrines can be found on the Yorkshire Dales national park website and they will be featured on the national park authority’s Twitter page using the #malhamperegrines and the RSPB’s Facebook group Malham Peregrine Watch.
