Malham Peregrine Project 2026
We are pleased to announce the Malham Peregrine Project Viewpoint will be running again in 2026.
The peregrine falcon is one of Britain’s most impressive birds of prey. Since 1993 they have nested at Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) run the viewpoint so you can see these wonderful hunters of the sky along with many other upland birds.
We are extremely disappointed that there is no breeding attempt aging this year. Although there is an adult male present, there is no resident female with only an immature present on some occasions. This means that the last successful breeding season was in 2022, with at least at least three different females going missing since then. This is of significant concern as Malham Cove used to be one of the most successful sites in the national park. The reason for disappearance and the cause of the most recent breeding failure is unknown. This does highlight there are still on-going risk to risks to Peregrines and the need to ensure their continued protection.
Although the male bird is still present at the Cove, he has been showing inconsistently across the viewpoint days, with no sightings on some days. As a result, the next proposed Malham Peregrine viewpoint day on Friday 19th June will be the last viewpoint day this year. We are sorry for any disappointment this may cause but hope to be back to highlight these wonderful birds once again next year.
How to get there
From Malham National Park Centre it is just under a mile to walk to Malham Cove. Walk through the village and join the wheelchair accessible footpath across fields (signposted to the Cove).
- Download a map of the walk from the National Park Centre
What to wear
There is no shelter at Malham Cove, so please were outdoor clothing suitable for the weather conditions.
How you can help protect peregrines
Peregrines are fully protected by law. It is a criminal offence to disturb them at or near the nest.
The British Mountaineering Council is once again actively promoting temporary climbing restrictions so climbers do not get too close to the nest site. An area at the top of the cliff has been roped off to stop people walking down onto the large ledge. This is to prevent any potential disturbance to the nesting birds and hopefully, later in the season, their young.
North Yorkshire Police ask visitors to help play their part in this year’s nesting attempt by following on-site notices and not getting too close to the nest site.
Landowner permission is required before flying drones from any land, for more information please see here. To prevent disturbance to the nesting peregrines, please do not fly any drones at the Cove.
If you are visiting the Yorkshire national Park for the first time and would like more information on how to enjoy your visit, please see here.
Malham National Park Centre
Found as you enter Malham village from the south, Malham National Park Centre (grid reference SD 900627) has a large car park (charges apply), toilets, an exhibition telling the story of Malham Cove, tourist information services and a shop. The opening times of the Centre can be found on the Malham National Park Centre page.
People with disabilities can park at Malham and there are also RADAR toilet facilities.
- Download a map of Malham village showing the location of the National Park Centre
Contact details
Contact Malham National Park Centre by calling 01969 652380 or emailing malham@yorkshiredales.org.uk