London's skylark population 'under threat due to Covid'

According to the RSPB, skylark numbers have fallen by as much as 75% in the UK in the past 40-50 years, mostly because of changes in farming

A popular bird that breeds in London parkland is under threat because of Covid, The Royal Parks is warning.

The numbers of skylarks, which nest in low grass, have been falling significantly in the UK for decades.

With record levels of people using parks during the pandemic, experts fear the decline could accelerate and force the bird out of London altogether.

A campaign has been launched to encourage walkers to stick to paths and keep their dogs on leads.

Broadcaster and patron of Friends of Richmond Park Clare Balding has been filming a campaign video as part of efforts to help protect skylarks

The Royal Parks, which manages eight of the capital's parks, blames pressure from increasing visitor numbers, and owners not keeping their dogs under control, for the decline of the skylark population in Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

A spokesperson said: "Without urgent action, this species may be lost from the parks. This would result in the loss of one of the closest populations of skylark to central London."

The breeding season for the skylark starts in March and continues into summer

Richard Gray, from Friends of Richmond Park, said the coronavirus pandemic had meant more people heading to London's parkland, where he said that because skylarks nest on the ground they were "extremely vulnerable".

He added: "With this campaign, we're asking people to be mindful of that threat, and stick to the main paths and put their dogs on leads."

Skylarks are not alone in being threatened by the growth in visitor numbers to Richmond Park. In January a deer had to be put down after it was attacked by a dog. The owner was fined £600.