PEREGRINE falcons once again held centre stage in the Yorkshire Dales this year – attracting an audience of thousands.

Despite poor weather conditions this summer, more than 21,000 people – including about 6,000 children – took advantage of a special, free Falcon Watch viewpoint set up by the RSPB and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) at Malham Cove to watch the birds through powerful telescopes.

For the second year running the peregrines did their bit by fledging two young which, after the terrible weather and heavy rain this year, were named Splish and Splash

Ian Court - YDNPA

Ian Court, the YDNPA’s species officer said: “For the second year running the peregrines did their bit by fledging two young which, after the terrible weather and heavy rain this year, were named Splish and Splash.

“The newest arrivals are good news for the peregrine population in the Dales and the visitor numbers show just how interested people are in them.

Matthew Capper, the RSPB’s People Engagement Officer, said: “The viewpoint is manned by a team of RSPB and National Park staff and volunteers and its success is down to their enthusiasm and drive.

“They put in the equivalent of nearly 400 volunteer days between them in all weathers, passing on their knowledge about the peregrines to the visitors.

“We would also like to thank the people of Malham for their support once again.”

The Malham Falcon Watch 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 were able to see green woodpeckers, little owls, redstarts and cliff-nesting house martins.

“Sadly, birds of prey such as peregrine falcons still face illegal persecution. This is an unacceptable situation and the RSPB is calling for an end to illegal killing of birds of prey," Matthew added.

The RSPB is asking members of the public who care about our birds of prey, such as the Malham peregrines, to pledge their support for an end to illegal killing at www.rspb.org.uk/birdsofprey.