Hi all
As spring has officially sprung (judging by today’s warm sunshine), we can expect the return of the peregrine falcons to Wintour’s Leap any day now. The nest has moved around a bit, but the preferred site in the last few years has been on the far right-hand end of Fly Wall, near the top of Jos’e and the Fly.
Please could everyone climbing at Wintour’s therefore observe the following:
a) Please avoid (for the moment) all routes to the right (South) of Dragonfly – this is a provisional restriction which will either be confirmed or lifted when the nest site is known. I will put signs up on-site tomorrow morning. In previous years we haven’t set up a restriction until the nest site is known, but this does seem the most likely site and – critically – due to its height, the crag layout and the surrounding trees it is impossible to see whether the birds are there before setting off up Big Fly Direct or Jos’e and the Fly (the only popular routes in this section of the crag). This has meant that this nest site has twice been discovered by climbers inadvertently climbing very close to the nest (in addition, retreat from here is awkward and probably expensive due to a lack of convenient trees on the terrace below).
b) When climbing elsewhere on the crag, please be aware of the possibility of peregrines nesting and be prepared to adjust your plans (and, if needed and safe to do so, to retreat) if it becomes apparent that they have made a home on or near your chosen route. If this happens, please let me know asap and obviously the location of the restricted zone will be changed if this is confirmed.
Many thanks
Rick Sewards
Wye Valley Access Rep
