Plea to keep dogs on leads during walks near bird breeding grounds

Dog owners and walkers are being asked to keep pets on short leads until July 31 to protect ground nesting birds.

The plea comes from the National Trust, as moors around Marsden, which borders Saddleworth, provide the perfect breeding ground for some of the nation’s rarest birds.

These include golden plovers, curlews, merlins and others who build their nests on the ground rather than in trees, making them extremely vulnerable to damage. 

The Trust say although nests are cleverly camouflaged so as not to attract predators, people can be unaware of the impact they may have on these birds. Dog owners may think their animals are under close control, but dogs may run through a nest without their owner’s knowledge.

And off-lead dogs are enough to scare birds away and prevent them from nesting, or cause them stress that leads to them wasting vital energy by frequently flying out the way, failing to lay eggs or even abandoning their chicks. 

It is a legal requirement to keep dogs on leads on open access land from March-July, regardless of the presence of livestock. 

To protect the birds, the National Trust Rangers have been patrolling the moor telling visitors that the National Trust lends leads to those who have forgotten to bring one, or you can borrow one from the National Trust’s offices in the Old Good’s Yard, Marsden. 

Dog owners can learn more about how to help protect local wildlife by attending one of the Trust’s Doggy Ranger walks – with treats included. 

Professional dog walkers using the moor need a licence to use National Trust land for commercial purposes. If this applies to you, get in touch with the team at marsdenmoor@nationaltrust.og.uk  

Kate Divey-Matthews, Resilient Landscapes Officer for the National Trust, said: “We love dogs at Marsden Moor and they are welcome to walk here but please keep them on a short lead in the spring and summer.

“We have a duty to protect the wildlife on its land, which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its breeding birds and blanket bog habitat, and breeding success is critically dependent on not being disturbed.

“Reservoirs across Marsden Moor such as Redbrook are popular with people whose dogs love a swim but many birds nest around the waters’ edge. There are also livestock on the moor at this time of year which can be scared or injured by dogs off leads.

“Dogs can still have a beneficial, stimulating walk while remaining on a lead. Exercise requirements vary, but a shorter walk that involves lots of sniffing can be even more tiring than running a longer distance.”