Latest news with #JennaKiddie
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Dog owners warned of bird nests at nature reserves
Dog owners have been warned to keep their pets under control as ground-nesting season starts for a rare bird. Cumbria Wildlife Trust said South Walney Nature Reserve and Foulney Island Nature Reserve near Barrow are coming to life with birds including little terns. As the birds nest on the ground their eggs are easily camouflaged among the shingle, meaning they can be trampled by dogs or chicks can be eaten or disturbed. "Even a good-natured, curious dog can cause extreme disturbance as the birds will always perceive the dog as a very real threat, causing them to react," said Bekka Watts, assistant warden for the charity. As well as the little tern, the reserve at Foulney Island is also home to visiting Arctic terns, while South Walney features birds including oystercatchers, ringed plovers, skylark and meadow pipits. They are all ground-nesting. Dr Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at the Dogs Trust, said it was important to remember any dog was capable of chasing as this was normal behaviour for the animal. She said: "We urge dog owners to consider their surroundings, particularly when visiting areas where they might encounter wildlife." She advised keeping dogs on a short lead as the best way to control them around wildlife or livestock. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Beach cages to help protect threatened birds Seabirds' breeding success after tough few seasons Cumbria Wildlife Trust
BBC News
22-03-2025
- BBC News
Cumbria dog owners warned of bird nests at nature reserves
Dog owners have been warned to keep their pets under control as ground-nesting season starts for a rare Wildlife Trust said South Walney Nature Reserve and Foulney Island Nature Reserve near Barrow are coming to life with birds including little the birds nest on the ground their eggs are easily camouflaged among the shingle, meaning they can be trampled by dogs or chicks can be eaten or disturbed."Even a good-natured, curious dog can cause extreme disturbance as the birds will always perceive the dog as a very real threat, causing them to react," said Bekka Watts, assistant warden for the charity. As well as the little tern, the reserve at Foulney Island is also home to visiting Arctic terns, while South Walney features birds including oystercatchers, ringed plovers, skylark and meadow are all ground-nesting. Dr Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at the Dogs Trust, said it was important to remember any dog was capable of chasing as this was normal behaviour for the said: "We urge dog owners to consider their surroundings, particularly when visiting areas where they might encounter wildlife."She advised keeping dogs on a short lead as the best way to control them around wildlife or livestock. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
02-03-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Surrey Wildlife Trust urges dog owners to keep pets under control
Dog owners are being urged to keep their pets on a lead as ground-nesting season Wildlife Trust (SWT), along with the Dogs Trust, are warning that unsupervised dogs can cause birds to abandon their nests, leaving eggs and chicks unprotected. Between March and August, certain species of bird, such as Skylarks, Woodcocks and Nightjars, breed on the ground of nature reserves, according to SWT. Dr Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at the Dogs Trust, said: "Dogs enrich our lives, but they also bring a level of responsibility." She added: "When visiting rural areas, owners should keep their dogs under control."As well as dogs being perceived as predators by the birds, SWT warned that dog faeces can present a health risk to animals and people. James Herd, director of reserves management at SWT, said: "Keeping your dogs under control and making sure you clean up behind them keeps sensitive habitats safe from damaging disturbance and dangerous diseases."Neosporosis, a disease which poses a serious risk of aborted pregnancies in grazing animals, has been seen twice already during the spring 2025 calving period, SWT explained.
