In reply to Oliver Hill: Hi Oliver, here's a link to one of the forums:
http://www.caranorte.com/foros/read.php?7,10275,10275#msg-10275
In general, the communication network between Catalan climbers is not as advanced as it is here in the UK — there's nothing like these (UKC) forums.
This proposal has only been published very recently, and I have the feeling that the locals can't quite believe what they see. It's as if they're slightly shell-shocked at the moment, and need a little time to sort out the best way to organize a suitable defense.
With regard to restrictions recently imposed in other sites across Catalunya, I'm almost certain that many local climbers have a laissez faire attitude. If they see with their own eyes that there are nesting raptors, they will avoid the area, but if not...... The policing of all these restrictions would be virtually impossible. As it is, I can't ever remember meeting an 'Agent Rural' (Ranger) more than 10 minutes away from the comfort of their 4X4s, so how they think they're going to police bans on crags an hour's walk from the road I'm not really sure. Of course, they would like climbers to police themselves, but this could only happen if climbers were consulted about which sections of rock to close in the first place, something they've shown no inclination to do, so far.
You're right in your remarks about how quiet it usually is in this part of Catalunya; apart from one or two localized hot-spots — Paret de les Bruixes, for example — it's often possible to climb all day on fantastic routes without seeing another party, or maybe, if it's a weekend, just a handful of climbers spread across a wide area. God only knows what the Medi Ambient would make of Stanage, The Pass or Langdale on a busy day!
As for the Catalan climbers themselves, apart from a few rare individuals, I've never met a friendlier, more outgoing bunch of people anywhere.
Pete.