It’s nesting season, and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is reminding us of the law surrounding wild birds following an incident involving a dog off its lead in Brading.

The force says it has been made aware of an incident at Brading Marsh – the only Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserve on the Island.

Police believe a dog walker entered a secure area of the reserve, and their dog was witnessed running around off its lead.

“There are protected species of ground nesting bird at this site, which could very easily come to significant harm because of this type of behaviour,” said a spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.

Operation Easter - the national enforcement campaign to protect our nesting wild birds - is underway.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is also supporting the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) in urging the public to report suspicious activity around bird nests.

“The taking of wild bird eggs is a serious crime, yet it remains an illicit hobby for some determined individuals,” says the force.

“Whole clutches of eggs can be taken from some of the UK’s rarest birds and stored in secret collections.

“New risks to wild birds have also emerged in recent years with criminals taking eggs or chicks from bird of prey nests and trading them illegally across the world.

“Birds can also be vulnerable to disturbance more generally during the nesting season.

“All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

“It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or to disturb the dependent young of such a bird.

“Regardless of your intentions, if your actions are reckless then you are in breach of the law.

“Under the act, it is also illegal to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird, or intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built.

“Contravention of the law could result in prosecution with a penalty of up to six months imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.

"Please respect the law and respect our wildlife.

“If you are visiting a reserve with nesting birds present, please keep dogs on leads, stick to public footpaths and keep out of restricted areas.

“If you witness any behaviour that puts wildlife at risk, you can report this to police on 101 and our dedicated Country Watch team will look into the circumstances.”