We want everybody to enjoy our local nature reserves. This includes your dog and the wildlife that live and grow there.
Your dog can affect wild animals and plants all year round. Please make the most of our reserves but do so responsibly and keep close control of your dog.
- Many wild animals perceive dogs as predators. This can cause stress and illness and reduce reproduction. It can cause them to leave their homes, which reduces the amount of space in which they can feed, breed and rest.
- Dogs’ scent can repel some animals. Their nitrate-rich urine and faeces is a threat to some native plants.
- Tick and flea treatments can pollute water and affect aquatic plants and animals.
Dog control - 1 March to 31 July
Bird-nesting season runs from 1 March to 31 July. Some of our reserves are covered by a Public Spaces Protection Order. You must keep your dog on a lead at the below reserves during bird-nesting season.
You must keep your dog on a lead at all times between 1 March and 31 July at:
- Barnwell East local nature reserve
- Barnwell West local nature reserve
- Bramblefields local nature reserve
- Logan’s Meadow local nature reserve
- Paradise local nature reserve
- West Pit local nature reserve
Read about dog control to find out more.
Thank you for helping to reduce the impact your dog can have on birds nesting on or near the ground.
