EXMOOR National Park Rangers are asking tourists not to unintentionally harm wildlife that may have been caught out by the sudden return of visitors to the moors, following the easing of Government restrictions.

“Many ground-nesting birds will have nested in spring while crowds were away, making them particularly vulnerable to disturbance now visitors, and particularly dogs, have returned,” said Ranger Charlotte Wray.

She added: “It’s great to see people enjoying the outdoors once again. But with most businesses still shut and the need to social distance, we’re seeing a lot more people heading to open moorland and quieter parts of the national park, where previously nature has been free to carry on relatively undisturbed.”

She appealed to people to tread carefully: “And be mindful that wildlife may not have had time to adjust to the sudden influx of visitors and turn up in some unusual places, such as on or near paths.

“If lucky, people’s thoughtfulness may be rewarded by some pretty amazing natural encounters.”

Park wildlife experts ask visitors to keep their distance. If a bird flies away, circles, makes repeated alarm calls or feigns injury, move away immediately.

If an animal lingers on in one location, it may have young nearby and feel extremely stressed by a person’s continued presence. The same applies to livestock with young.

Stay on the paths, particularly around habitats often used by birds and other animals for nesting or shelter, such as dense heather, riverbanks or wetlands.

Dogs can scare ground-nesting birds and cause them to abandon their nests. By law, they must be kept on a short lead between March and July on open access land.

Charlotte added: “Moorland fires can be particularly devastating to wildlife in the breeding season, so leave the barbecue at home and bring a picnic instead.”