Unsupervised dogs can unintentionally cause harm to ground-nesting birds such as skylarks, lapwings, meadow pipits and woodcock, as well as other birds such as robins and dunnocks that nest close to the ground, so it is vital that they are kept under control.

As well as our year-round birds, springtime brings with it the arrival of exciting migratory visitors which have travelled thousands of miles to nest at nature reserves throughout the UK. Many of these birds nest on or close to the ground, where they're particularly vulnerable to disturbance from dogs. This can lead to them abandoning their nests and losing their eggs or chicks. Some bird species are already struggling, and disturbance by dogs can make it even harder for them to survive.

Off-lead dogs have also been known to go for the occasional unexpected swim in ponds, rivers and other waterbodies. These areas are home to wildlife that dogs can disturb, such as voles, otters and newts, and there is also a risk of your pet getting injured. Dogs may also pollute waterbodies with chemicals used in flea treatments – these can be extremely harmful to aquatic life.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Grass Wood nature reserve near Grassington is popular with visitors looking to enjoy the spring wildflowers or autumnal colour, including dog walkers. Reserve Assistant Becky Dennison said,

“Grass Wood nature reserve is a popular and special site with lots of wonderful wildlife, but it includes some very sensitive species including song birds that can easily be disturbed by dogs.

“Nesting and fledgling birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbance - the eggs of the willow warbler are so tiny that they can be snaffled up or crushed in a moment without the owner noticing, and scaring a bird away from its eggs in poor or cold weather can lead to the eggs or chicks chilling to death very quickly. We  implore everyone to please keep your dogs on leads, especially in spring when wildlife is at its most vulnerable; please do not allow them to run through the woodland undergrowth and out of sight or there is a very real risk that our spring woodlands could fall silent from much of their most beautiful birdsong.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has also recorded multiple problems with dogs chasing grazing livestock, including two in 2023: one of the Trust’s Hebridean sheep was attacked at Stirley nature reserve near Huddersfield, requiring extensive medical intervention, and pregnant ewes were chased by off-lead dogs at Kilnsea Wetlands near Spurn.

Many dog owners are passionate about nature and want to avoid harming it. However, even the most well-behaved dogs can unintentionally cause distress or damage wildlife, simply by following their natural curiosity. Birds perceive dogs as predators; when dogs roam freely, birds may abandon their nests, leaving eggs and chicks cold and unprotected. From designated walking paths to understanding wildlife seasons, there's plenty we can do to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable experience – on two legs or four.

Responsible dog owners can help wildlife if they:

• Keep dogs on short leads on nature reserves and in the wider countryside
• only visit reserves with dogs under control where they are permitted and always keep to paths. Nature reserves are rare places where wildlife is given the priority.
• Clean up after animals and dispose of dog waste in bins or at home. Dog waste is dangerous for wildlife as it can carry diseases, scare away animals and increases nutrients in soils above healthy levels, affecting the natural balance of fragile habitats.
• Prevent dogs jumping in ponds; this can disturb aquatic wildlife, and insecticides found in dog flea treatments pollute waterways and kill wildlife too.

Dr Jenna Kiddie, Head of Canine Behaviour at Dogs Trust, says:

“Dogs enrich our lives, but they also bring a level of responsibility. Whilst many of us enjoy taking our dogs for long walks, especially as it becomes a bit warmer, we urge dog owners to consider their surroundings, particularly when visiting areas where they might encounter wildlife. When visiting rural areas, owners should keep their dogs under control and ensure they do not worry other animals or stray from the path, as well as dispose of their dog's waste appropriately. We would advise keeping your dog on a short lead, and close to you, especially whenever livestock are nearby. It is important to remember that chasing is normal dog behaviour, and that any dog is capable of chasing, irrelevant of breed, type, age or size.”

Clare Webb, Countryside Code Project Manager at Natural England is supportive of The Wildlife Trusts’ initiative. She says:

“The Countryside Code helps us all respect, protect and enjoy our outdoor spaces.  Many of us enjoy nothing better than a walk with our dogs in the fresh air and the Countryside Code sets out how we can do this responsibly by keeping dogs on a lead, checking local signs, respecting livestock and those who work in rural areas.”

Notes

Can I take my dog to a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve?

Nature reserves are first and foremost havens for wildlife; refuges for incredibly rare plants, animals and birds, or pit-stops and roosts for those moving about. We know how important the outdoors is for the health and wellbeing of all the family – and responsible walkers can help us by taking care when visiting and cleaning up after their dogs.

There are some reserves where we kindly ask you not to bring your dog. This is usually because the wildlife living there is under threat and has nowhere else to go, which even the sweetest, most easy-going pup could disturb and upset.

At reserves like Spurn, we have designed a circular route especially for dog walking, which takes you away from the vulnerable areas around the Point. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust welcomes well behaved walkers who keep their dogs on leads, or under close control on the rights of way and on some boardwalks. All our nature reserves are unique, so please always check online before you visit any of them with your dog.

My dog is well-behaved, has a great recall and gets on with other animals; why do I still need to be careful on nature reserves?

Keeping your dog close on a short lead helps to minimise distress and disturbance caused to wildlife. If your dog is off the lead and out of sight it may well be causing disturbance to wildlife, which can cause a reduction in breeding success and ultimately a decrease in population numbers. Wildlife Trusts welcome a wide variety of visitors to their nature reserves, from wildlife enthusiasts to school groups. It’s important to be aware that dogs can scare other users even unintentionally. 

There's so much space on my local beach/sea front, why does my dog have to be on a lead?

Beaches can be home to ground-nesting birds such as terns and ringed plover as well as other marine wildlife – so look out for signage which indicates areas where dogs are best to be kept on a lead. The birds that nest on beaches are often very well camouflaged to hide from predators whilst sitting on their eggs. This makes them very difficult for people to spot, so you might not even know they're there. But they're still sensitive to disturbance. When a dog gets too close, they are likely to leave the nest, making the eggs or chicks more vulnerable.

I have a guide-dog – can you advise on how accessible your nature reserves are?

It’s best to check the reserve’s website for up-to-date information about accessibility and each site’s particular requirements before you set off to visit; signs on-site will also tell you about any restrictions. If you see someone else with an assistance dog, please remember they are not pets and are highly trained which means they will not wander freely around a reserve, will remain with their owner at all times and are unlikely to foul in a public place.

Why do nature reserves allow visitors with dogs when there is so little space left for wildlife?

Saving the UK’s wildlife and wild places and helping them to recover from past losses and damage has been a central aim of The Wildlife Trusts throughout their history. For more than a century, we have been saving, protecting and standing up for wildlife and wild places. To achieve this we believe that connecting people with nature is vital and we recognise that for many dog-owners this connection can be established whilst exercising their dog.