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Two of the Yorkshire Dales' newest arrivals became the star attraction at one of the area's most popular beauty spots. The young Peregrine Falcons learnt to fly in the picturesque surroundings of Malham Cove.

The chicks spent several weeks testing their wings before literally taking the plunge - and what a plunge it was! Their first taste of flying came when they launched themselves off the 230 foot high rock face at Malham Cove.

Once airborne, their parents put them through their paces and the chicks - named Sophie and Joshua - were taught the flying and hunting skills they needed to survive into adulthood.

Peregrine Falcon chick.

Peregrines are the fastest animals in the world and are believed to achieve speeds approaching 200km/h (124mph) when plunging from the sky after prey. One has been logged by radar at 183km/h (114mph) after a dive of 305m (1,000ft).

Peregrine Falcon numbers fell significantly in the 1960s because of the impact of pesticides, but have since recovered to the extent where they are now not considered an endangered species.

Watching from the viewing point.

There are around 20 pairs of Peregrine Falcons nesting in the Yorkshire Dales and 2007 was the second successive year that chicks have hatched at Malham Cove. In 2006 a pair of nesting Peregrines produced two chicks which were named 'Clint' and 'Gryke' after the limestone blocks and fissures of the Malhamdale landscape. They were seen by an estimated 28,500 visitors.

Peregrine Falcon Facts:

• The Peregrine is the largest of British breeding falcons
• Peregrines typically pair for several years and may live up to 10 years old
• The oldest Peregrine on record was 15 years 6 months old
• Both adult birds tend the young
• The young take their first flight 5 or 6 weeks after hatching
• Peregrine's feed on medium sized birds, which they catch in high-speed aerial stoops
• Peregrine numbers crashed in the 1960s due to the impact of pesticides
• There are now around 1,300 breeding pairs in the UK - with around 20 pairs nesting in the Yorkshire Dales