At Bird Wise we LOVE dogs. Meeting your canine companions when we’re out on site brings us immense joy. But we are also fully aware of the danger dogs pose to the birds we work so hard to protect. Dogs getting too close to birds causes them to fly away which wastes energy the birds cannot afford to lose.
Interaction between dogs and nature is a delicate balancing act and often prompts a highly emotive response from both sides. In this article, our project manager Hayley explores the issue and tries to provide some clarity and guidance on how dogs and wildlife can share our shores responsibly.
From the conversations we have with dog walkers, it is clear that most disturbance is not intentional. Once we explain the problems caused by dogs getting too close to birds, most dog owners are receptive to the message and will modify behaviours. We also know that many dog walkers are interested in wildlife and enjoy having their furry friend by their side whilst watching wildlife.
You don’t have to choose between ‘team dog’ or ‘team bird’, it is possible to be both. Personally, I love nature and I love dogs. Accepting that our canine companion can be a threat to wildlife and putting measures in place to mitigate that threat is just part of being a responsible dog owner. If your dog needs that off-lead exercise there are places more suited for that purpose, away from sensitive wildlife.
It is also important to accept that most dog owners are responsible, and if we see behaviour that is causing avoidable disturbance, a polite conversation to explain the issue and point out the wildlife might be all that’s needed.
Of course, there have been occasions when our requests have been ignored as the dog walker is not willing to accept that their dog poses a threat to nature. Here are some of the phrases we frequently hear from both sides during our site visits, and our responses to attempt to dispel some of the common misunderstandings:
“My dog is only playing” – This is true, your dog is having a wonderful time exploring the freedom of the great outdoors. Sadly, birds will see your furry friend as a predator, no matter how friendly and playful they may be. This is because many species that spend winter with us face predators such as foxes or wolves on their breeding grounds, so dogs look very similar. When birds feel threatened, they will remove themselves from that threat, but this wastes valuable energy.
“My dog only chases, they never catch the birds” – We’ve all seen the images of dogs running along a beach and birds flying away. The problem is that even if the dog doesn’t catch the birds, the damage has already been done as the chase is extremely stressful. The sad reality is that what seems like harmless fun for the dog is actually killing birds.
“Birds are designed to fly so what’s the problem?” – It is no surprise that this causes confusion. Yes, birds are built to fly but they only do it when they have to because it uses up so much energy. Many birds have migrated huge distances to get to our coastal habitats so they must spend as much time as possible feeding and resting to replenish lost energy. Repeated disturbance reduces the time available for this and results in birds not being in good enough condition to breed successfully if they make it back to their breeding grounds, some may not even make it there.
“Why don’t we just ban dogs from all nature reserves?” – Research shows that over 50% of all recreational visits to the countryside involve a dog. It has been demonstrated that dogs walking alongside their owner under close control or on a lead do not pose a threat to wildlife when kept to paths and a safe distance from wildlife. Many people, myself included, feel safer in remote locations with their dog for company. Dog walkers are often the first to report crime or anti-social behaviour and their presence can be positive for reserves if access is managed.
“In a natural setting, isn’t it better to ‘stick & flick’ poo off the path rather than use plastic bags?” – Short answer – NO! Whilst this used to be common practice, we now know that dog faeces is dangerous for livestock and people, and it can damage plantlife. The advice is to bag dog poo and put it in the nearest bin, or where there are no bins take it away with you. It can be useful to keep a container in your car to place the bag in until you get to a bin, just make sure the container is well labelled! Alternatively you can purchase a container to carry with you for this purpose such as the https://www.dickybag.com/ . If you find yourself without a bag just ask another dog walker if they have a spare, or ask one of the Bird Wise Rangers as we always carry them with us.
“Keeping dogs on a lead is just cruel.” – It may seem unfair to restrict a dog in this way, but it can be for the best. Some dogs (mine included) are hard of hearing and therefore unable to recall so being on a lead keeps them safe. Other dogs are nervous so are kept close to their owner, and those with mobility problems or injury might stay on a lead to control the pace of their walks. Dogs just love being outdoors enjoying different smells and sights with their owners, so a walk on a lead is better than being left at home. Dogs on lead restrictions are introduced where safety concerns exist for people or wildlife, so please always follow instructions on signs.
Having your dog under close control is not only good for wildlife but it can help to keep your dog safe. Not only that, but it’s courteous to other people, as not everyone wants your excited bundle of fun running up and jumping on them. Also, worth noting is that not all dogs want your dog running up to them so being mindful of the people and wildlife we share our walks with will make it better for us all.
We have seen plenty of examples of well-behaved dogs walking to heel next to their owners when we are out on site, and these dogs are not causing a problem. The trouble comes when irresponsible owners ignore requests on signs, and their actions make all dog owners look bad.
We hope this article has put across the case for both dogs and wildlife and demonstrates that a balance can be found between the two. We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences and for responsible dog owners to join our Coastal Canines Club.
Happy Walkies!
Hayley & Jasper