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.