Climbing restrictions are now in place on some crags in England and more restrictions will come into place as the bird-nesting season progresses.

BMC climbing restriction sign (right) at Buckbarrow Crag, Longsleddale, Cumbria

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is urging all climbers to check its regional access database before setting out on to rock. The voluntary climbing restrictions are also posted at the country’s main climbing walls.

Britain is home to many important species of birds as well as wintering and migratory birds. The BMC has been working with national park authorities, the RSPB and statutory conservation bodies for more than 30 years to try to maintain access to crags while protecting vulnerable nesting birds.

The restrictions are monitored and reviewed regularly and generally work well. Most crags will also have a notice posted close to access points, but the BMC stresses it’s up to climbers to check out the database and do their bit for the birds.

There’s a PDF of restrictions can be seen here and the regional access database is here.