Dog-lovers are being encouraged to keep their furry friends on leads to protect birds and other wildlife.
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has launched a new project to increase awareness and to promote more wildlife-friendly behaviour on their nature reserves and in other wild places.
Project Yellowhammer has been introduced on the Trust’s heathland sites. Dropping Well Farm and The Devil’s Spittleful nature reserves are situated between Bewdley and Kidderminster and are popular places to walk. The team at the Trust want to increase visitors’ knowledge and awareness of wildlife in the area, as well as encourage people to keep their pets on a lead and to stick to paths.
Dogs off lead can unintentionally cause harm to wildlife throughout the year but at this time of year, in particular, they can cause birds that nest on or close to the ground to abandon their nests. It is vital that dogs are kept on leads and that both dogs and their owners stick to paths.
One such bird at risk is the yellowhammer. These vibrant and distinctive birds commonly reside on farmland but due to changing farming practices their numbers have fallen by 65% since the 1960s. With a small population still present on the edges of The Devil’s Spittleful and Dropping Well Farm, it is hoped that the project will give them, and other wildlife, a much-needed boost.
Posted On: 30/04/2024
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