As rare ground nesting birds arrive in Purbeck, new signs are going up on the dunes and heathlands in Studland, Dorset, asking owners to keep their dogs on short leads during the breeding season.
The National Trust, which owns the Studland peninsula, is hoping the signs will help protect birds like the woodlark, stone chat, Dartford warbler and nightjar from being accidentally disturbed on their nests by dogs.
Dogs are always welcome – but need to be on leads in the dunes and heathland during the bird nesting season
Well behaved dogs always welcome
Legally, dogs are allowed on Studland’s beaches off the lead from 1st October to 30th April, and on the lead from 1st May to 30th September every year, but the Dorset Council’s public space protection order about dogs, doesn’t cover the heathland, so the signs have been installed to help protect the local wildlife.
When walking across the dunes or on the heathland, dog owners are being asked to keep their dog on a short lead between 1st March and 31st July every year.
Outside the bird ground nesting period, from 1st August to the end of February, owners are being asked to continue to keep their dogs on the paths as much as possible.
With more than four miles of dog walking routes across Studland, the National Trust says that well behaved dogs are welcome all year round.
Ground nesting birds are arriving at Studland for spring, and adders are getting more active, meaning there’s a need for leads
Nightjars are masters of camouflage, but can be scared off their nests easily by dogs running loose
To protect both pets and habitat
The National Trust says that even though ground nesting birds are masters of camouflage, dogs can home in on them with their acute sense of smell and the moment the birds move, their eggs are clearly visible and crows will come in to eat the eggs.
If the birds are continually being disturbed, they will stop using Studland for nesting and a part of the wildlife experience will be lost.
At the same time, poisonous adders are beginning to stir after hibernation and dogs need to be stopped from disturbing them for their own safety.
National Trust officers hope that visitors will understand that the use of leads is to protect their pets and to protect the habitat which makes Studland such a special place for wildlife.
More visitors are arriving at Studland as the weather improves, and signs has been put up on the main walking routes
Balance between people and nature
National Trust senior visitor experience officer at Studland Jamie Lamb-Shine, said:
“We are now formally asking people to have their dogs on leads when they are in the dunes or the heathland, very much in line with Wareham Forest and other open access spaces across Dorset and England.
“We have put up a number of banners, new signage, a new leaflet and waymarkers, trying to find a balance between people and nature and welcoming people for recreational activities while also protecting nature in the most important areas.
“The banners show where people are about to exit off-lead space and entering areas which are more sensitive for our ground nesting birds.
“We had an engagement day on Saturday 1st March 2025 when we introduced these messages for the first time, and it was all really positive, people were knowledgeable about it and receptive to what we are trying to do.”
With more than four miles of marked walks through Studland’s varying habitats, there should be room for pets and wildlife
“It shouldn’t feel like a big change”
Jamie added:
“When we meet and talk to our visitors, we tell them what we are protecting and why we are doing it, rather than forcing legislation into people’s faces – then hopefully they are reminded why they love this place as much as we do.
“People are more sympathetic to the cause when they have a connection to nature. We have just installed interactive sound recordings of our ground nesting birds at visitor reception, where you can press buttons and hear some of the species we are protecting.
“We can help people understand why these birds need protecting, how we are helping and also give them a chance to recognise the species on their walks by listening out for their calls, like the churring of a nightjar, or a stonechat which makes a sound like stones being banged together.
“As they walk over the heathland with their dogs safely on a lead they can listen out for the sounds and it becomes so much more real and a personal experience.
“This is a popular spot for local dog walkers – it shouldn’t feel like a great change to them and the banners balance the need for clear information without ruining the look of the landscape.”
Studland’s dunes are home to sand lizards, but again can be scared away from their nests if disturbed too often
Adders are becoming more active as spring arrives, meaning dogs will be safer on their leads
Dog public space protection order at Studland
In Studland, under the legally enforcable dog public space protection order, owners have to keep their dog on a short lead on beaches between 1st May and 30th September. Dogs may be off lead on the beaches from 1st October to 30th April
Along Ferry Road and in the car parks at Knoll Beach and Shell Bay, dogs have to be on a short lead all year round.
Canine code at Studland
In addition, on the dunes and heathland, the National Trust is asking owners to keep their dogs on a short lead from March to July, and off lead but under close control from August to February.
- Do keep close control of your dog at all times, either on a lead of up to two metres or being able to recall your dog at first call, and follow the seasonal signage for restrictions. Dogs can swim in the sea off lead all year round
- Do bag dog waste and bin it in the blue bins provided in car parks – please do not bag and then leave dog waste in the area
- Do respect other visitors and keep your dog in sight; not everyone loves dogs so before letting your dog approach others, check with them first
- Do keep to the paths; heathland is home to ticks and adders and your dog will be safer on the paths
- Do keep your dog on a lead near cliffs; every year dogs fall from cliffs and some are fatally injured
- Horse riders are permitted on Studland beaches, please give them space
Not all visitors are responsible when it comes to cleaning up after their dogs
Studland is a favourite spot to walk dogs – and they are allowed off the lead on beaches from 1st October to 30th April
Further information
- National Trust’s guidance on dogs at Studland
- The Dorset Council Dog Related Public Spaces Protection Order 2024
