Dog walkers must lead the way

Leads are essential to prevent dogs harming nesting birds this spring and summer.

The celebrated song of the skylark, the bubbling call of the curlew or the delicate melody of the willow warbler are an evocative and welcome soundtrack to spring. Birds like these – whose numbers are in worrying declines - make their fragile nests either on or close to the ground.

Too often, however, an exuberant or inquisitive pooch wandering or bounding through grass, heather or vegetation easily disturbs wildlife and scares adult birds off their nest or tramples the eggs. Vulnerable chicks can quickly perish if left alone for too long.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is calling on all dog walkers to keep their dogs on short leads in order to help our wildlife. Whether visiting meadows, woodlands, heathlands or wetlands there will be birds nesting that can be hard to see and are at risk from disturbance, trampling and harm.

Rob Allen, Nature Reserves team leader at the county’s leading conservation charity, explained “Going out for a walk with our faithful companion is good for our health and wellbeing and theirs. Dog ownership has risen greatly during the pandemic and whilst this might be great for us, dogs off leads on nature reserves and in the wider countryside is becoming an increasing problem for our wildlife.

Most dogs off leads mean no harm but a bird naturally sees them as a predator and the unintended consequence of allowing a dog to roam free, especially on a nature reserve, can be that nests are abandoned and chicks die.

“Even the most gentle dog can cause this to happen if they’re allowed to leave a path and nose through the undergrowth so we’re asking all dog owners to play their part in helping nature to recover and thrive.”

Chiffchaff sitting on a bramble stem by Karen Summers — Chiffchaff by Karen Summers

Whilst many birds, such as skylark and curlew, nest on the ground others, such as willow warbler and chiffchaff, nest close to the ground and often in vegetation alongside paths, especially in woodland.

Keeping dogs on short leads will also benefit other wildlife that can be harmed or disturbed by enthusiastic pooches – from adders and slow-worms to harvest mice and brown hares, all are sensitive to disturbance and their populations can be affected by repeated disruption.

As well reducing disturbance to wildlife and to other people, ensuring that dogs are on a lead also prevents them from jumping into water where they disturb birds as well as underwater wildlife and where the insecticides that are found in dog flea treatments can end up polluting the water.

Rob continued “We know the difference that keeping dogs on leads can have. A concerted effort to encourage dog walkers to keep their dogs on a lead at The Devil’s Spittleful, a heathland nature reserve near Kidderminster, saw the number of breeding birds increase. Sadly, since the pandemic this sensitive site has seen a huge increase in dog walkers allowing their dogs to run free and we are concerned about the disturbance now being caused to the wildlife there.

“Whilst it is a particular problem for nesting birds during spring and summer, dogs off leads can have an impact on wildlife all year round – from disturbing hibernating dormouse or flushing ground-roosting birds in the depths of winter.

“Taking time out for a walk in nature is definitely beneficial for us but it’s important to remember that we’re sharing nature’s space and have a responsibility to respect the needs of our wildlife.”

The Trust advise dog walkers to pay attention to on-site notices when out walking as well as stick to paths and keep dogs on short leads. Dog poo should bagged and removed from the site.