The celebrated song of the skylark and bubbling call of curlew are evocative and welcome sounds of spring, as people explore our wonderful countryside, moorland and urban parks again. Birds like these – whose numbers are in worrying decline – are making their fragile nests on the ground, tucked away safely in long grass.

However, too often, an exuberant or inquisitive pooch, wandering or bounding through grass or heather, easily disturbs wildlife and scares adult birds off nests or tramples eggs. And vulnerable chicks can quickly perish if they are left alone for too long.

The Wildlife Trusts are calling on dog walkers to keep their dogs on short leads to help ground-nesting birds this spring and summer. Whether you’re visiting moorland, fields, urban parks or the beach, there are birds nesting on the ground – or just above it – that can be hard to see and are at risk of trampling, disturbance, and harm.

Peter Burgess, Devon Wildlife Trust’s Director of Conservation says:

“After months of being couped up we’re all looking forward to exploring wilder places as spring begins to burst in to colour. But this is one of the most sensitive times for wildlife. Many species of bird nest on or near the ground, and in some of the most unexpected places. Keeping dogs on a short lead will help reduce disturbance and ensure their chicks can fledge. With everyone’s help we can ensure our spring is never silent!”      

Many people think of birds’ nests as being high up in trees, but a surprising number nest on the ground or just above it, in low bushes. For example:

• Nightjars lay their eggs directly onto the ground in heathlands
• Willow warblers tuck themselves away at the base of trees and bushes in woods and open areas with scattered trees
• Meadow pipits hide their eggs in grassy tussocks on commons and meadows
• Familiar garden birds like dunnocks and blackbirds can nest close to the ground.
• Oystercatcher, ringed plover and little tern eggs and chicks are brilliantly camouflaged on beaches among pebbles and sand, making them easy to disturb.

Some beaches have cordoned-off areas to protect some of the rarest birds’ nests – but it’s best to keep dogs on leads on all beaches and the wider countryside until chicks have fledged in September.

The law says that you must keep your dog on a lead no longer than 2 metres between 1st March and 31st July, when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds. For safety, you should also always keep your dog a lead around grazing animals, although it’s safer to let your dog off if you are chased by cows or horses.

Other benefits of keeping dogs on leads include:

• Lessening the negative impacts of dog poo and urine by reducing it to a smaller area
• Preventing dogs jumping in lakes and rivers – this disturbs aquatic wildlife and the insecticides that are found in dog flea treatments can end up polluting water
• Reducing risks to other animals and people

Devon Wildlife Trust asks dog walkers to avoid some of its nature reserves because the wildlife there is too rare or fragile and needs special protection. These sites include South Efford Marsh (near Kingsbridge), Dawlish Inner Warren (near Dawlish), Exe Reed Beds (near Exeter) and Horsey Island (near Braunton). The Trust advises looking at individual nature reserve webpages before you leave home to see if and where dogs are allowed. More information can be found here.