| Steve Lewis - March 1st 2004 |
| Just to keep everyone informed a twice-yearly meeting
takes place between representatives from the National Trust
(who own most of the climbable Gower coastline), the
Countryside Commission for Wales (CCW) who have a direct legal
responsibility for the flora and fauna, and the BMC, to
represent the climbing interests. This small forum meets to
discuss areas of particular sensitivity especially where
climbing might cause a disturbance to wildlife or cause
potential damage to plant-life. Whilst there is a sympathy
towards all recreational users of the land by the National
Trust, there are some particularly sensitive issues regarding
the wildlife. One of these is that Gower is home to an
increasing number of nesting Choughs. These birds are the UK's
rarest members of the crow family and are easily
disturbed. There are now 14 on Gower. They nest in holes in
the cliff quite high up away from normal disturbance and
predators. |
| This affects climbing in a couple of places, namely
Yellow Wall and more recently the area around Bacon Hole. Most
of you will know that the Yellow Wall restriction exists from
March 1st till August 15th. This longish breeding slot is to
allow for a particular pair of birds to have a failed attempt
early in the season and have another attempt. In years when a
successful brood is produced early they are usually away from
the nest by mid June and climbing would not disturb them. To
find out about their progress climbers wishing to go to Yellow
Wall can ring the NT office or the shop at Rhossilli for the
current situation but only after the beginning of June.
|
| At Bacon Hole there is little interest in climbing
and whilst there is not an agreed restriction in place
everyone is asked to stay away from the immediate area around
Bacon Hole as Choughs nested there last year for the first
time in a while. |
|
| An appeal to any climbers particularly
interested in helping with the monitoring of
thechoughs. There is a need for someone to help with
ringing young birds. The nearest person willing to help lives
in Pembroke and it would be very helpful to have someone
local. Full training in handling birds will be given. Please
let me know if you are interested or ring Sian at the NT
office. If anyone is out climbing and spots a chough the NT
or CCW would love to find out where it is seen and what colour
rings it might have. Eleven of the birds have already been
ringed and if you can see the rings and identify them that
would be very helpful information to have. The exact position
of different colours on the birds leg and which leg is also
important. |
| The other bird which arouses a lot of interest is the
Peregrine Falcon and at this time there have been new
sightings at Great Tor with the possibility of a nest on the
south face. (that pile of vegetation and loose choss). Please
let us know if you see any there. One other item of info is
just to say that in the aftermath of the events at Minchin
Hole a few years back there is still one route which has
hangers still attached to the bolts left there. The NT have
asked for these to be removed and I intend to do this soon. If
anyone out there would like to claim them then I will be happy
to return them. Please give me a call. |
| Just a reminder that my phone no is 01654767445 or
mob 07967976170 or email Steve Lewis
|
| You can contact the National Trust
on 01792 390636
|
