Voluntary restrictions on access around a peregrine’s nest at Hen Cloud in Staffordshire have been lifted early following the successful fledging of one chick.

Almost 70 routes between Nutted by Reality and Easy Come have been off limits since 1 March under the agreement with the Peak District National Park Authority. The restrictions were due to run until 30 June but the successful fledging means they can now be lifted ten days early.

The PDNPA has written to the BMC thanking climbers for their co-operation in the continuing conservation success story of peregrines breeding at the Roaches.

A pair of kestrels is still nesting in the Pinnacles area so please take care when climbing here. There is no formal restriction but if the birds give an alarm-call or show signs of disturbance please back off as soon as is safely possible.

This is the fifth year running peregrines have bred successfully at the Roaches, either on the Upper Tier or more recently at Hen Cloud. PDNPA chief executive Jim Dixon said: “Protecting the nest site has been a fantastic example of working constructively with local birdwatchers, climbers and also our rangers.”

Next April the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust will take over management of the Roaches but the voluntary system of negotiated access restrictions will remain in place. The BMC’s Access and Conservation Trust is considering funding SWT’s footpath maintenance at the Roaches.

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