CONSERVATIONISTS on Portland have called for signs to be put up warning that six pairs of endangered peregrine falcons are nesting on the island's clifftops.

Concerned climbers noticed the protected species roosting on the rocks and posted warning messages to other enthusiasts over the Internet.

They also urged the coastguard to put up signs asking other climbers to keep away from the falcons' nests.

Representatives from English Nature, the Crown Estate, the Court Leet, the coastguard, the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and Portland Bird Observatory met to hammer out the issue at the Portland Rock Forum last week.

They agreed with the climbers that signs should be placed at cliff tops and in car parks so that visiting climbers would make the nesting sites no-go zones.

The warden at Portland Bird Observatory, Martin Kay, said: "Peregrine falcons were rare a few years ago because people were stealing their eggs and pesticides were getting into the food chain.

"But they are still not a common sight on Portland by any means."

The BMC rep for Portland Neal Heanes who lives in Fortuneswell, said: "We want to make sure that the peregrines are not disturbed, and hopefully the signs will be partly funded by English Heritage and the BMC."

The Rock Forum also discussed recent accusations that climbers on Portland are to blame for large numbers of sea birds leaving the clifftops and causing problems by colonising urban areas in Weymouth and Portland.

Mr Heanes added: "Looking out for peregrines' nests shows that the majority of climbers have a responsible attitude to sport climbing and are very co-operative when it comes to agreeing restrictions.

"It's complete rubbish to say they are scaring the gulls away from their natural habitat."

The countryside ranger for Weymouth and Portland Liza Cole said: "In my experience, the climbers are very respectful of restriction zones.

"It's a matter of being able to get the information out to them.

"That is where the Rock Forum comes in. It's good to be able to discuss these issues and work out how to disseminate the information and educate people."