Dog owners are encouraged to keep their pets on a leash in sensitive natural areas to protect nesting sites during bird breeding season.

In the Thames Basin Heaths region of Surrey,near Chobham and Bagshot,walkers are reminded to be especially careful between March and September,as dogs roaming off-lead can easily disturb wildlife.

This warning follows a study that placed artificial nests in undergrowth and found that dogs often wandered dangerously close to potential nesting spots.

Dr.Rebecca Thomas from Royal Holloway,University of London,explained,"Dogs can seriously disrupt wildlife,particularly ground-nesting birds."

She added,"These birds see dogs as predators,so if a dog comes near,they’ll flee the nest.Hundreds of dogs pass through these areas nearly every day.If they’re off-lead and running freely,they can cause significant disturbance."

In protected heathlands like Thames Basin and Horsell Common near Woking,wildlife wardens have posted signs urging owners to leash their dogs in certain zones to prevent harm.

Local dog walkers acknowledge the importance of staying on paths but note that it’s often hard to tell exactly where birds are nesting.

Rupert Millican,senior ranger at Horsell Common,told BBC Radio Surrey that some areas have been designated for safe off-lead exercise,helping redirect foot traffic away from nesting sites.

"It’s essential to have good control over your dog and understand its behavior,so it doesn’t run into the main heathland,"he said.

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