KERDHEWGH GANS AGAS KI KESSON GANS NATUR WALK YOUR DOG IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

Do Not Disturb… nature reserve, looking at wild flowers Little egret, River Gannel Walk Your Dog In Harmony With Nature Skylark Breney pond Britain is officially a nation of dog lovers, and is a dog walker's paradise, with amazing wild places for dogs and owners to explore. Since the start of the pandemic, dog ownership has boomed. For some, canine company has been a lifesaver in combating lockdown loneliness. Dogs can be a human’s best friend, regarded as part of the family and much loved but… beware the inner WOLF! Your pooch will act on instinct, could act out of character when excited, and in worse case scenarios cause damage and death to wildlife.

Whether you are a seasoned dog owner, The Cornish coastline also provides off- Ruth Williams, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Moving away from the beach into the or new to pet parenthood, walking in lead opportunities with wide open sandy Marine Conservation Manager has dunes and surrounding areas you'll be harmony with nature will give you, beaches. Low tide is the best time to let some additional advice for dog owners on doing wildlife a big favour if you keep your dog and wildlife a more relaxing your dog run free. Keep an eye out for beach walks. your dog on a lead. Birds bothered off ILD experience. wading birds and areas where seals are nests soon become exhausted, but L W LI “We have seen an increase in the number L FE present. Seals haul out for a reason; usually disturbance doesn’t just mean big flocks A THOMAS DAVE PHOTOS: ALL If you are thinking about getting a dog, of people reporting unidentified white T to rest, digest and metabolise properly. of birds ‘flushed’ off, flying away to escape W R whatever breed you go for, exercise is blobby masses or lumps washed up on the U Disturbance has a big impact on their a perceived threat. Disturbance can be It's fair to assume that these birds are N shore. Sometimes these can be small like R S essential. So what options are there on well-being and survival. From September comfortable and living their best

'invisible' too, when causing stress to an T

your doorstep? until December, mums will leave pups in hailstones, or much larger masses that have O Island lives! It’s a great success story of how C a waxy appearance. This is palm oil from animal and increasing its heart rate. secluded coves whilst they feed. Pups are wildlife can flourish when given space and Off-leash dog parks and paddocks dotted shipping containers and is dangerous for fine being left, but if disturbed will panic Keeping dogs on leads also applies left in relative peace. around Cornwall provide areas to walk dogs to ingest, along with other washed up # and be in danger of separation from their along estuaries. If these habitats remain t t safely, with no concerns of livestock polluted debris. returning mothers. Earlier this year, a undisturbed, it’s of great benefit to passage So, wherever you choose to walk a w stampeding or dangerous cliff edges to ke c young seal nicknamed affectionately by Cornwall also has a high number of marine (migrating) birds such as waders. with your dog in Cornwall be t ad contend with. The worry of disturbing hele locals as Freddie Mercury, was strandings. If you come across a dead or live mindful of your surroundings. wildlife is greatly reduced and your dog is Coming inland, you may choose to dog attacked by a dog whilst animal, keep your dog well away. Carcasses Walk in step with wildlife, within a contained space, so recall is easier. walk through one of the Trust’s nature basking along the Thames may contain dangerous pathogens or do not disturb and Dog owners’ wildlife Think Fenton the dog in Richmond Park. Path in London. Sadly, infectious diseases, which you and your dog reserves. In spring and summer, please be enjoy your walk! If you know, you know. If you don’t know, Freddie was put down should avoid. Live animals will already be aware of ground nesting birds. Sites like awareness campaign Google it. Don’t be that guy! because of his injuries. distressed so keep a respectful distance. You have designated areas Wildlife can pop up can call for help via the Marine Standings for ground nesters like skylarks, whose anytime, anywhere, hotline on 0345 201 2626.” populations are dwindling. Pay attention so stay vigilant whilst to the signage on nature reserves and #taketheleadcwt your dog is off-lead. follow instructions. Wildlife is vulnerable To help protect our more vulnerable flora and fauna, but so is ground flora; dogs running freely Cornwall Wildlife Trust is trialling a new initiative in

contribute to trampling precious plant life the area with site-specific information and loss of species like bluebells, which boards (featuring our angelic pup logo!) can take years to recover. highlighting the potential dangers posed to our more elusive wildlife from free-roaming dogs. One nature reserve which is a complete dog free zone with As a fun way to raise awareness of the minimal disturbance from any importance of responsible dog ownership at nature sensitive sites, we've also created source is Looe Island. To end on a a special beech wood 'halo disc' that can happy tale (full on wagging tail!) be attached to a collar or lead to show your Looe Island has increased the support for the campaign – and we have numbers of nesting Oystercatcher 500 of them to give away to our readers! pairs, from just ten in 2013 to 21 pairs in 2017/2018. We believe it’s Claim your free halo disc, by emailing: due to an overall reduction in [email protected] disturbance and footfall. With If you're one of our lucky winners, please be sure so few people and no dogs on to share some pics of your perfectly behaved pooch the island, birds now often on our social media thread #taketheleadcwt. 500FREE nest right on the main path. collar discs up for grabs! Be aware and show you care!

24 Wild Cornwall | Summer 2021 Wild Cornwall | Summer 2021 25