Dog owners told use leads to protect wildlife

The yellowhammer can still be found in small numbers within Worcestershire

Dog owners have been encouraged to keep their furry companions on leads to protect birds and other wildlife in Worcestershire.

Worcestershire Wildlife Trust has launched Project Yellowhammer, an initiative that aims to increase visitors’ awareness of wildlife, while also encouraging people to keep their dogs on a lead and to stick to paths.

The project has so far been introduced on the trust’s Dropping Well Farm and The Devil’s Spittleful nature reserves, situated between Bewdley and Kidderminster.

Ion Riley, community wildlife warden at Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, said: "Letting dogs run free and straying away from tracks can cause huge disruption to wildlife, particularly to the ground-nesting birds and reptiles that are present on site."

One such animal at risk is the yellowhammer - a vibrant and distinctive bird that commonly resides on farmland.

Following changes to farming practices their number have fallen by 65% since the 1960s, according to the wildlife trust.

With a small population still present on the edges of The Devil’s Spittleful and Dropping Well Farm, it is hoped the project will give them, and other wildlife, a much-needed boost.

Mr Riley continued: "We hope that by having constructive and positive conversations with visitors about the wildlife on our nature reserves, individuals will be inspired to help wildlife and to share their knowledge with others."

The work forms part of the trust's Saving Worcestershire’s Heathlands project, which aims to restore farmland at Dropping Well Farm and to connect more than 300 acres of heathland habitat in the local area.