Dynamic Dunescapes

Always bag and bin my dog poo - any public bin will do

Dog poo is harmful to dune habitats; it changes soil chemistry which is bad news for wildflowers. It can also contain diseases and parasites which may be fatal to creatures that live in the dunes, including the livestock that we use to mow the dune vegetation.

Help protect our special wildlife, by preventing my dog from chasing animals and keeping it away from pools

Thousands of birds migrate here from as far away as the Arctic - and many of these species are endangered! If disturbed, they cannot build the fat reserves they need to return home safely. Many birds will also nest on the ground in grassy dune tussocks, and when stressed or if nests are disturbed, they may not breed successfully. Pools and ponds here are also important habitats for rare toads and newts, please try to keep your dogs out of these ponds to keep the toadlets and newtlets safe.

Use existing paths and follow guidance on signs

Some areas of the dunes need more protection than others, and some species are more vulnerable and sensitive to disturbance at different times of year. Keep an eye out for signs which will let you know which areas are sensitive and at which times of year we need you to keep dogs on leads.

Help others enjoy the dunes, by keeping my dog under close control

Not everyone enjoys dogs the same amount, so please be aware of other sand dune visitors, including horse riders, cyclists and reserve staff working on the dunes.

Take care around livestock to keep me and my dog safe

Cows, sheep and horses are nature's lawnmowers! We use them on many of our sand dunes to keep vegetation growth low, which helps make sure our dune grassland is healthy. This means that in the spring, we'll have many more wildflowers and be able to support many insect species. If chased or scared by dogs, our grazing cows, sheep and ponies may become aggressive or stressed. Pregnant sheep can even abort their young if stressed by dogs.