Surrey Wildlife Trust has urged dog walkers to keep their dogs on short leads on heathlands and fields to protect ground-nesting birds. 

It warns that inquisitive animals easily disturb wildlife and scare adult birds off nests or trample the eggs.  Nightjars and meadow pipits are among those birds who lay their eggs directly onto the ground in heathlands, commons and meadows. 

The Trust reminds walkers of the law which says dogs must be kept on a lead no longer than 2 metres between the 1st March and the end of July when on any open access land to protect ground-nesting birds.