RESIDENTS are being urged to protect the county’s wildlife as the nesting season gets under way.

The Wiltshire Rural Crime Team has issued a reminder that all wild birds are protected by law, with some of the county’s rarest species receiving the highest level of safeguarding.

As spring approaches, officers say ground-nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from walkers and dogs in the countryside.

Species such as bitterns, barn owls and ospreys are among those listed under Schedule 1 – the strictest category of protection – because they are rare, threatened or in decline.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, it is a criminal offence to intentionally kill, injure or take a wild bird.

The law also makes it illegal to damage or destroy an active nest, take or destroy eggs, or disturb Schedule 1 birds while they are nesting or caring for dependent young.

Selling wild birds, possessing them or their eggs, and using prohibited methods to kill or capture them are also offences.

Police are advising dog owners in particular to keep pets on leads when walking in rural areas to avoid flushing birds from nests built on or near the ground.

Even well-meaning walkers can inadvertently cause harm, as repeated disturbance may leave eggs or chicks exposed to predators and the elements.

A spokesperson for the rural crime team said the start of nesting season is a timely opportunity for the public to “educate themselves and be respectful around our wild birds”.

Anyone who suspects a wildlife crime has been committed is urged to report it online or call 999 in an emergency.

With Wiltshire’s countryside home to a diverse range of birdlife, officers hope greater awareness will help ensure the season is one of new beginnings rather than avoidable loss.