The annual restrictions to protect nesting Ravens run between 15 February and 31 May while those to protect nesting Peregrine Falcons run from 1 March until 30 June, unless listed otherwise.
If you visit an unrestricted crag and find birds in residence please report your sighting to office@thebmc.co.uk and at https://www.frcc.co.uk/comment-on-a-route/. I would appreciate a copy too at gilbert.roberts@yahoo.co.uk
The following list gives the current restrictions, it will be updated as necessary during the breeding season. If birds fail to breed restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible.
See also the BMC RAD
| Area | Site | Ravens | Peregrines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langdale | Raven Crag Walthwaite* | X | |
| Eastern Crags | Iron Crag, Thirlmere (RH Buttress only) | SEE UPDATE | |
| Raven Crag, Thirlmere | X | ||
| Raven Crag, Threshthwaite Cove | X | X | |
| Swarthbeck Gill & Raven's Crag Boulders (climbing and bouldering areas) | X | X | |
| Thrang Crag Lower (aka Allen Crag) | X | ||
| Thrang Crag Upper | X | ||
| Calf Howe Crag, Kentmere | X | ||
| Gowbarrow Crag - Ullswater (Upper Tier only) | X | X | |
| Nab Crag, Wythburn | SEE UPDATE | ||
| Bram Crag Quarry (St John’s in the Vale) | SEE UPDATE | ||
| Borrowdale | Lower Falcon Crag (whole crag) | X | |
| Upper Falcon Crag | X | ||
| Gillercombe (Upper Right Wall only; scramble unaffected) | X | ||
| Gable & Pillar | Bowness Knott | X | |
| Duddon | Ribcage Crag | X | |
| Stonestar Crag | X | ||
| Wallowbarrow Gorge | X | X | |
| Dow & Slate | Raven Crag, Yewdale (scramble unaffected) | X | |
| Eskdale | Heron Crag | X | X |
| South Lakes Limestone | White Scar | X | X |
| Meathop Quarry | X | X | |
| Chapel Head Scar | X | ||
| Humphrey Head | X | ||
| Others | White Stone Crag, Newby Bridge | X | |
| Scawgill Bridge Quarry (Whinlatter) - see note | |||
| Black Force, Howgills | X |
*A note on Raven Crag, Walthwaite, Langdale: A good alternative venue is Thrang Crags, only 5 minutes away. Plenty of worthwhile routes across a range of grades. See the Thrang Crags ebook.
- Nab Crag – Update 6/5/26. No evidence of breeding birds in 2026 BUT the crag has for a number of years been the home of peregrines and that if they are there when you are please give them recognition and leave.
- Iron Crag – Update 6/5/26. No evidence of breeding birds in 2026 so the restriction can be lifted.
- Scawgill Bridge Quarry (Whinlatter) – Update 30/4/26 – New partial restriction. There are nesting kestrels on the left of the crag and there should be no climbing on and left of the route Wilderness Edge.
- Wallowbarrow Gorge, Duddon & Heron Crag, Eskdale – Update 18/2/26 – These crags remain restricted as in previous years. If no nesting takes place we can lift the restrictions.
- Gowbarrow Crag (upper only) – now restricted for peregrines as well as ravens.
- Bram Crag Quarry – Update 19/3/26 – following a reliable report of breeding peregrines, access to Bram Crag Wall, The Dark Side and Charcoal Burners’ Buttress areas of Bram Crag Quarry is restricted.
- Gouther Crag, Swindale – new peregrine restriction on climbing to the left of Castration Crack Buttress and also the bouldering sites left of Truss Buttress area (Peregrine Buttress etc).
- White Stone Crag (Newby Bridge) – new peregrine restriction to left of the main cliff.
Bouldering areas affected by restrictions
A small number of bouldering areas are affected by nesting restrictions on their associated crags. These are named in the Table. There may be other bouldering areas in close proximity to nesting birds, if you disturb nesting birds at any currently unlisted venue please make a sharp exit and report to FRCC website and the BMC using the links given above. Please note that particular concerns have been raised about the potential impacts of bouldering along the foot of Carrock Fell on breeding Ring Ouzels (a scarce blackbird-like species). Currently we are assessing whether bouldering and breeding birds are coming into conflict here.
Seabird Restrictions (1 February – 31 July)
Buttermere, Newlands & St Bees
- St Bees. There are restrictions to protect nesting seabirds. The area has very important Guillemot, Kitttiwake, and Razorbill breeding colonies and The RSPB have stipulated no access to the area south (right) of the route Army Screamers between the above dates. Other St Bees bouldering areas: The boulders to the south of Fisherman’s Steps can only be used outside the nesting season. Access to Fleswick Bay is permitted all year round, but only south of the inlet where the path meets the shore. At South Head the small bouldering area is only accessible outside the nesting season.