UKC

Ring Ouzels are back at Stanage and are nesting in the Green Crack area. As of today (signs should be in place by tomorrow) there will be a restriction on climbing for a short distance either side.

This is a traditional site and the restricted area is likely to follow the extent agreed in previous years; from April Crack to Narrow Buttress. Usually it will be in place for four weeks or so.

As yet this is the first pair nesting on a climb; if more appear other restrictions may be put in place, though generally we find most nests do not require a restriction. Likewise pairs sometimes move, or nests fail, and restrictions may be lifted early.

Updates will be posted below, but if in doubt, please follow the on site signage.

In reply to Adam Long:

Bump, seeing as someone has just asked the question elsewhere.

In reply to Adam Long:

Okay, signs are now in place. The restriction is slightly smaller than stated above - from Right-hand Trinity to just left (looking up) of Narrow Buttress, ie Narrow Buttress and the descent immediately to the left (again, looking up) are still open, as are Central Trinity, Christmas Crack and so on to the north.

In reply to Adam Long:

UPDATE: Saturday 12th May

There are now nest restrictions in five locations on Bamford, Burbage and Stanage.

On STANAGE:

Firstly the restriction detailed above in the GREEN CRACK/ RUSTY WALL area.

Secondly there are two lower key restrictions in the Plantation and above the Causeway. We try not to draw attention to the nest sites where possible (increasingly photographers are seeking them out), so I'll not mention the exact sites, but the signs are obvious enough if you are in the area. Thanks to the party who left the Causeway site earlier today before the signs went up, the birds are back on the nest and no lasting damage was done.

Similarly there is another low-key restriction on the southern end of Bamford.

At BURBAGE:

There is a nest right of the Knight's Move area on Burbage North. Most of the routes are unaffected but please avoid the routes to the right - Big Chimney, Windjammer etc, and particularly the descent path beyond. There is a good descent at the other end of the buttress so no big ask. This area is now well signed so things should be pretty obvious. The crag breaks down a bit to the south so any routes further on (ie beyond Barry Manilow) should be fine.

Most of the eggs in these nests have now hatched so you can expect the restrictions to last about two weeks. As ever, the signs on site will change first, so follow them over info elsewhere.

In reply to Adam Long:

UPDATE: Monday 28th May

Thanks for everyone's cooperation so far.

STANAGE:

The chicks successfully fledged from the nest on Green crack late last week, so there is no restriction here currently. The birds are likely to have a sewcond brood nearby though, so watch out for signs.

Likewise the other Stanage sites have either fledged or are very near, so we should have a short period with no restrictions this week.

BURBAGE:

Apparently all the nests (7 in all) in the Burbage have sadly failed due to predation, probably by corvids. So no restrictions at present. The birds will likely try for a second brood, and will need all the help they can. Its a tricky question whether climbers are more likely to scare predators off or to draw them in by leaving food, but some predator control may have to be considered in the long run... a can of worms for sure!

In reply to Adam Long:
I saw weasel recently in the Remergence area. Are they likely to be involved in the nest robbing?

In reply to mikeyratty:

Quite possibly yes. I've found a couple of Dipper's nests in the last few years which had clear signs of Weasel predation.

In reply to Adam Long:

STANAGE

Just taken the restriction OFF at Leaning Buttress, as the nest was destroyed by a crow yesterday. So no restrictions on the Popular end at the mo.

The nest at Tower Face is still doing well, and the restriction will remain in place probably for another couple of weeks.