Nesting bird advice

Most birds will nest well away from climbing crags but as a responsible climber you should always be aware of the possibility that a bird could be nesting where you want to climb.

It is an offence to interfere with the nest of any wild bird, or obstruct a bird from using it; either intentionally or recklessly.

Some rare or more endangered species such as the Golden Eagle and Peregrine Falcon have increased levels of protection and it is an offence to disturb these birds while they are building a nest or are near a nest containing eggs, young or dependent young.

Mountaineering Scotland in conjunction with the Raptor Study Groups (which dedicate their time to the monitoring and study of raptors) has agreed a new system to advise members of the location of nesting birds and whether or not it is responsible to climb at a particular crag. Martin Hind, the East Ross Ranger and UKClimbing moderator for Creag Glas, Moy Rocks etc came up with the idea for the new system.

This system can, however, only operate for those crags where we have information and therefore climbers should always be vigilant of the potential disturbance of birds at any crag where they might climb.

Please also help other climbers by notifying Mountaineering Scotland of any birds nesting on a crag – or of their absence from notified crags.