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Malham Peregrine Watch
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For many years the dramatic limestone landscape of the Malham area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park has attracted large numbers of people. Since 2003, visitors to Malham Cove have been able to see and learn more about the spectacular birdlife of the area thanks to a partnership between the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority.
As part of the RSPB ‘Date with Nature’ scheme, three full time wardens supported by many dedicated volunteers are present at the Cove from early April until late summer equipped with telescopes to show visitors the real stars of the show – the Peregrine Falcons. From the viewpoint it is often possible to get stunning close up views of the adult peregrines as they perch on favoured roosting sites on the Cove face. As the season progresses, the first sightings of the young chicks can be had as they begin to explore the ledges surrounding the nest. Later in the summer, visitors are treated to a spectacular aerial display as the young peregrines take their first tentative flights and begin to hone their hunting skills by harassing the resident jackdaws.
For many of the people visiting Malham, stopping off at the viewpoint will be the first time that they have actually looked at wildlife. It is hoped that the experience of seeing such stunning birds against the spectacular backdrop of Malham Cove will really enthuse people and encourage an interest in wildlife and in particular birdwatching. Given the popularity of Malham for school groups, several thousand pupils have stopped off at the viewpoint each year to see and learn about the peregrines and other wildlife of the Dales.
The project also provides an excellent opportunity to talk to a wide range of visitors about nature conservation issues in the Yorkshire Dales, including the continued threat to peregrines from persecution, with many people stopping to ask about other projects or to find out more about other topical conservation issues. To date it has been a huge success and in May 2009 reached a significant milestone as the team welcomed its 100,000th visitor to the site.
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Yorkshire Dales National Park
Garden tiger moth, © Whitfield Benson.
Conservation in the Yorkshire Dales - Peregrine falcons
This is a short film about the work being done by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to monitor and protect peregrine falcons at Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Every summer, a viewpoint is set up at the bottom of Malham Cove as part of the RSPB 'A date with nature' project so that members of the public can watch the peregrines and other wildlife in the area.
It has been made by Joe Tuck as part of his masters degree in Biological Photography and Imaging: more details of his work can be found on his website, www.joetuck.com.
You might also be interested in his other films about wildlife conservation in the Yorkshire Dales - select from the links below to view them, or watch the full 30 minute film on YouTube.
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