The Yorkshire Dales is home to several birds of prey, but the most notable and iconic raptor in the area is the peregrine falcon. Peregrines have made a remarkable recovery in the Dales and across the UK after their population crashed in the mid 20th century due to the impact of organochlorine pesticides like DDT. Following the ban of these harmful chemicals, peregrine numbers have rebounded and they are now a relatively common sight in the Dales.
What does the peregrine falcon look like?
The peregrine is a large and powerful falcon, with long, broad, pointed wings and a relatively short tail. The adult peregrine has bluish-grey upperparts and a pale underside with fine, dark streaks. Their most striking feature is the dark moustachial stripe on the face, extending down from below the eye. The peregrine has yellow legs and cere (the soft part around the beak), and dark brown eyes. The female peregrine is noticeably bigger than the male.
Where can you see peregrine falcons in the Yorkshire Dales?
Peregrines are found across the length and breadth of the Yorkshire Dales, wherever there are suitably elevated nesting sites near open moorland, their preferred hunting habitat. Some of the best places to spot peregrines in the Dales include:
- Malham Cove – This huge curved limestone cliff is a well-known peregrine site, with several breeding pairs.
- Gordale Scar – Impressive collapsed cave near Malham with nesting peregrines.
- Brimham Rocks – The rocks here provide ideal nesting opportunities.
- Simon’s Seat – A quarried gritstone outcrop above Wharfedale popular with peregrines.
- Buckden Pike – At 702 metres, the highest peak in Wharfedale, a good vantage point for peregrine spotting.
- Falcon Clints – Aptly named wooded cliff near Arncliffe in Littondale.
- Sutton Bank – Peregrines can often be seen hunting over the escarpment here.
When can you see peregrine falcons in the Yorkshire Dales?
Peregrines are resident in the Dales all year round. However, the best time to see them is during the breeding season between April and July. At this time, they are most active near the nest sites as they court, lay eggs, incubate them and raise the young. The adult peregrines can often be seen performing remarkable aerial acrobatics as they hunt for prey to feed their chicks.
It’s also possible to see peregrines in the Dales during the winter months, but they are likely to range more widely searching for food at this lean time of year.
What threats face the peregrine in the Yorkshire Dales?
Although peregrine numbers have recovered well, they still face a number of threats in the region:
- Illegal persecution – Rare but still occurs, particularly on grouse moors.
- Disturbance – By outdoor recreation near nest sites.
- Climate change -Could affect prey availability in the long term.
- Habitat loss – From quarrying and loss of upland heath and grassland.
- Reduced prey availability – From declining songbird populations.
Conservation measures aimed at protecting upland bird populations, including restoration of degraded moorland, should help safeguard peregrine prey sources in the Dales.
Why are peregrines found in the Yorkshire Dales?
The Yorkshire Dales provide an ideal combination of habitat requirements for peregrines to thrive:
- Nest sites – Quarries, cliffs and crags provide secure nesting ledges.
- Hunting areas – Extensive open moorlands and uplands.
- Prey availability – Lots of suitable prey like pigeons, waders and small birds.
- Undisturbed areas – Remote rugged terrain, away from intensive farming.
- Protection – Most traditional peregrine nesting sites are now protected.
The abundance of elevated limestone features like scars, coves and cliffs make the Dales prime real estate for these specialized cliff nesting raptors. Their preferred upland hunting grounds are also present throughout the area.
How have peregrine numbers changed in the Yorkshire Dales?
Peregrines suffered a catastrophic decline in Britain between the 1950s and 1970s. From an estimated 1,500 breeding pairs in 1930, the population crashed to just 80 pairs by 1963 and only 68 pairs in 1970. This dramatic fall was caused by the impact of organochlorine pesticides like DDT, which built up in the peregrine’s tissues and affected their breeding success. No peregrines bred at all in the Dales between 1964 and 1966.
Following the ban of these harmful chemicals in the 1960s and 70s, and the provision of nest boxes in some areas, peregrine numbers slowly recovered. In the Yorkshire Dales, there were 17 occupied peregrine territories in 1981, rising to 64 pairs in 2006. The latest survey in 2016 showed numbers were still increasing, with 82 pairs across the Dales national park.
Table showing peregrine population trends in Yorkshire Dales
Year | No. of pairs in Yorkshire Dales |
---|---|
1930 (estimate) | 35 pairs |
1963 | 5 pairs |
1970 | 4 pairs |
1981 | 17 pairs |
2006 | 64 pairs |
2016 | 82 pairs |
Thanks to legal protection and reduced pesticide contamination, peregrine falcons have made an impressive comeback in the Yorkshire Dales and now breed more widely than they did before their population crash in the 20th century.
How do peregrines hunt and what do they eat?
Peregrines are uniquely adapted for hunting agile prey on the wing. They have a streamlined body and long, pointed wings, perfect for fast flight. Peregrines are the fastest animal on Earth – they have been recorded diving at speeds up to 200 mph. This makes them lethal hunters.
To catch prey in flight, peregrines use a hunting technique called a “stoop”, where they fly high above their intended target and then go into a steep, spiralling dive towards it. They strike the victim in mid-air with their talons. Prey is usually killed or stunned instantly by the force of the impact. Peregrines mainly hunt birds like pigeons, waders and small passerines like meadow pipits.
In cities, peregrines have adapted to exploit the large feral pigeon populations, becoming something of an ally in controlling these urban pests.
The abundance of waders, grouse, pigeons and passerines in the Yorkshire Dales provides rich hunting opportunities for peregrines throughout the year.
How do peregrines breed?
Peregrines return to the same nesting sites or territory each breeding season. Though solitary for most of the year, the breeding pair cooperates in raising the young. After courtship and mating, the female typically lays 3-4 eggs in a shallow depression or “scrape”. The eggs are incubated for 29-32 days before hatching. The chicks fledge at around 42 days, but remain dependant on the parents for food for some weeks after leaving the nest.
Peregrine nests are called “eyries” and can simply be a scrape on a ledge or cliff top. Old nests of other birds like ravens are also used. Peregrines will attack other cliff nesting birds that get too close to the eyrie when they have young. Both the male and female peregrine defend the eyrie and hunting territory, chasing away intruders like crows, ravens, buzzards and golden eagles.
Are peregrines protected by law?
Yes, peregrines receive legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take peregrines, take or damage their eggs, or disturb them at the nest. Their nest sites are also protected from disturbance during the breeding season. The reduction in illegal persecution has aided the peregrine’s recovery.
Some individual peregrine eyries receive additional protection. For example, several traditional sites in Yorkshire Dales National Park are designated Schedule 1 listed buildings to prevent damage or destruction.
How can you identify a peregrine?
Identifying characteristics of the peregrine falcon include:
- Size – A large and powerful falcon, around the size of a crow.
- Shape – Long pointed wings and relatively short tail.
- Colour – Blue-grey upperparts, pale underside with dark streaks and bars.
- Facial mark – Distinctive black “moustache” stripe.
- Beak – Yellow cere and black tipped hooked beak.
- Legs – Long yellow legs.
- In flight – Fast and agile with deep, powerful wingbeats.
The peregrine’s combination of large size, pointed wings, facial markings and speed make it distinctive from other UK falcons like the smaller, round-winged kestrel and hobby.
Where does the name ‘peregrine’ come from?
The name peregrine comes from the Latin word peregrinus, meaning “to wander”. This reflects the peregrine’s habit of breeding in one area but dispersing over large distances outside of the breeding season. Young peregrines may wander widely – British ringed peregrines have been recovered as far away as Spain, Sweden and Egypt.
The peregrine’s scientific name Falco peregrinus reveals their zoological family. Falco denotes they are a member of the falcon family, while peregrinus again means wandering or migratory.
Other names for the peregrine include “duck hawk” in North America, reflecting one of their common prey items. In parts of the UK they have also been known as the “wandering falcon”.
What conservation is being done for peregrines?
Many measures have aided the recovery of the peregrine falcon population:
- Bans on harmful pesticides like DDT and other organochlorines in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Greater legal protection for raptors under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
- Reintroduction projects – using captive breeding and release of young birds.
- Nest box provision on some quarries and buildings to provide safe nest sites.
- Monitoring and protection of nests sites.
- Public education to highlight the threats once faced by peregrines.
Ongoing conservation aims include tackling remaining illegal persecution, minimising disturbance at eyries and preserving upland hunting habitat. Monitoring also continues, such as the regular national surveys of peregrine numbers coordinated by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel.
Conclusion
The peregrine falcon is undoubtedly the most iconic bird of prey in the Yorkshire Dales. Its remarkable powers of flight, lethal hunting abilities and aerial acrobatics make it one of the most impressive birds to witness in the UK. The peregrine’s gradual recovery in the Dales shows that wild populations can bounce back when given proper protection and habitat management. This tenacious falcon has rightfully regained its place as a true ruler of the skies in this magnificent upland landscape.