Berkshire dog walkers asked to help protect rare heathland birds [and the same reasons apply across the rest of the UK] ( www.itv.com )

A wildlife charity is urging dog walkers in Berkshire to keep their pets under control this spring and summer, to help protect some of the county’s rarest and most fascinating birds.

Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is making the appeal at two of its most popular nature reserves - Greenham & Crookham Commons and Snelsmore Common Country Park.

Three new seasonal reserve wardens will help spread the word, talking to thousands of visitors about ground-nesting birds and how to help protect them.

Friday, 1 March marked the start of ground-nesting bird season in the UK, when species such as nightjars, skylarks and Dartford warblers make nests on the ground or in low-growing bushes.