Nesting on the ground leaves these birds incredibly vulnerable to predators which is why they have evolved ways to go undetected. One of these is some of the best camouflage in the animal kingdom, another is extremely well-hidden nests.

This strategy of concealing eggs was highly effective for ground-nesting birds long before people became part of the landscape. However, because their nests blend in so successfully with their surroundings, humans may unknowingly come too close, accidentally scaring the birds from their nests.

Do Not Disturb

Disturbance is any action that forces a bird to leave its nest. When a parent bird is scared away, it is leaving eggs or chicks unprotected and exposed, sometimes repeatedly. Over time, this can result in the bird spending more time away from the nest than caring for it. If this happens repeatedly, it is disasterous for the outcomes of the eggs. 

Without the parent’s warmth, eggs can chill and fail to hatch. If already hatched, chicks may die from cold or hunger. And when a bird flies off in distress, it signals the nest’s location to predators like crows, who seize the chance to take eggs or chicks.

Paws and Paths: How Dog Walkers Can Help

Walking your dog is a great way to experience the great outdoors. However, to a ground-nesting bird, even the friendliest dog looks like a predator. Unfortunately, when off-lead, to a ground-nesting bird your dog is a potential predator. An excitable or inquisitive dog wandering or bounding through grass and scrub could easily trample eggs or scare adult birds off their nests, leaving their chicks.   

The Golden Rule: Keeping your dog on a short lead on nature reserves and open-access land between 1 March and 31 July is the best way to keep wildlife safe. Not only does this protect the birds, but it is also the law under the Countryside Code.

How You Can Make a Difference

Our bird populations are already facing huge challenges of habitat loss and climate change. Here are some small changes to your walk that you can make to help give them a fighting chance:

1. Stick to the footpaths: Staying on the path significantly reduces the risk of treading on a nest.
2. Keep your dog close: Keep your dog on a short lead on open-access land and any signposted nesting locations between 1 March – 31 July (bird breeding season). Many people don’t realise, but this is actually the law as part of the Countryside Code.
3. Watch for signs of distress: If a bird is calling loudly, circling overhead, or even dive-bombing, you are too close. Back away and find a different route.
4. Respect signage: Please take note of the rules of the reserve signage across our reserves, and look out for the vulnerable species signs we’ve placed across the North Wessex Downs.
5. No disposable BBQs: These are a major fire risk, and a single spark can destroy acres of vital nesting habitat in minutes.

By following these steps, you aren’t just helping birds, you are also helping protect Common Lizards, Brown Hares, Roe Deer, and our rare wildflowers which are an important food source for so many invertebrates.

Next time you’re out exploring the countryside, remember: your steps matter. Thank you for helping us protect the farmland birds of Wiltshire.

Chalkland Revival

This blog has been written as part of our Chalkland Revivial Project. Led by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and funded by the North Wessex Downs Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) fund, we are working across 40,000 hectares to restore nature. From monitoring farmland birds to creating new wetlands and managing deer, we are working with local farms to revive South England’s most iconic chalk landscape.