Dog trail-stop 7
Stop seven on the Hengistbury Dog Walking Trail
Stop 7 - Pitch and Putt
Skylarks
This fenced area is the former pitch and putt course from the neighbouring golf course, which was closed in 2004. Since then, it has been managed for wildlife as a wild meadow, which is the perfect habitat for one of our favourite Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve residents, the Skylark!
Every Spring brings the arrival of the beautiful Skylark song, best heard around the West Field and Pitch and Putt fields. Skylarks hover effortlessly, singing from a great height; these long and complicated song-flights can last for up to an hour and the birds can reach 300m before descending.
Skylark Song
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Fun Fact
Skylarks can have up to 460 syllables in their song! It is thought that more poems have been written about the skylark’s song than that of any other bird.However, Skylark numbers are in decline; mainly due to changes in farming practices which reduces the amount of habitat and food available.
Nesting on the ground
Another reason for their decline (and many other british birds) is that they are one of the bird species who nest on the ground, this means they can be easily disturbed by people, pups and predators! Skylarks along with Dartford Warblers, Woodcock, Nightjars, Yellowhammers, Curlews, Lapwing, Redshank, Snipe and otherd all nest on the ground between the 1st of April and the 31st of July.
During this time, we ask that you be cautious of disturbing any birds. The best way to do that is to keep to paths (and use a lead if you have an adventurous pup!), be aware of birds nearby and avoid particularly sensitive areas such as wild meadows and heathland.
Nesting season
Learn more about bird nesting season, and where to go to avoid these precious birds.
You may now want to pop your pooches back on their leads, as the next part of our walk will take us on the path next to the road (and across the road) as we head towards the beach! Or if you (or your pooch) have had enough of a walk, head left back to the Roebury path which takes you back to where we began.
Find out more about bringing your dog to Hengistbury Head