The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, in partnership with the Dogs Trust, is urging dog owners to keep their pets on leads during the breeding season to protect ground-nesting birds. This season is critical for species such as skylarks, lapwings, and nightingales, which can be harmed by free-roaming dogs.
The plea comes amid concerns about the UK lapwing population, which has declined by 55% since 1967. In areas like Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve near Totton, Southampton, these birds rely on safe, undisturbed environments to breed.
Karen Kingston, the Trust’s visitor engagement manager, emphasized the importance of shared responsibility. “As a nation of dog lovers, we all want to enjoy the great outdoors with our furry companions, but we must also remember that we share these spaces with wildlife that depends on them for survival,” Kingston stated. By keeping dogs on leads, dog owners can help protect vulnerable birds and other species during this sensitive time.