Dog owners in the Highlands are being asked to be particularly careful when taking their beloved pets for a walk to protect ground nesting birds.
The appeal came from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) as the park commonly becomes a nesting area for nesting birds such as capercaillie, lapwings, curlews and hen harriers.
These birds regularly nest their young in moorlands, woodlands and farmlands instead of nesting up trees; making them more vulnerable to predation and disturbance.
Visitors and residents are being asked to avoid the area if they suspect a nest is close and take a wide berth to young birds and adult birds during the season.
Officials are asking residents to stay on the main paths and tracks, put your dog on a lead or keep it under close control.
Andy Ford, Cairngorms Nature Manager said: “Ground nesting birds are extremely vulnerable, and with some very rare species in the Cairngorms National Park, we need to do all we can to help them. We know that our dogs mean no harm but if disturbed, birds may be prevented from settling, or if already nesting they will fly away from their nests, neglecting their eggs or chicks.”
