Peregrine falcons nesting in Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales National Park are keeping conservation experts guessing.

A pair is nesting out of sight of prying eyes and has produced some young but experts as yet do not know how many.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Yorkshire Dales National Park have teamed up to run a special free peregrine watch viewpoint at the Cove until July 31 enabling people to watch them through high-powered telescopes. Ian Court, the YDNP’s Wildlife Conservation Officer, said: “Unfortunately, the birds are nesting out of sight so we do not know how many young there are.”

The watch site, which last year attracted 16,500 visitors, is manned by YDNPA and RSPB staff and volunteers between 10.30am and 4.30pm from Wednesdays to Sundays.

Peregrines started nesting at the Cove 18 years ago and since then they have raised 37 young.

More information about the birds can be found at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/peregrines.