Bird nesting season means leashed dogs in Uplands Park.
Dogs must be on leash April 1 to June 30 each year in the Oak Bay natural space, primarily to protect feathered wildlife.
For example, nesting killdeer lay eggs in the rocks on the ground and are easily scared away by dogs. If the eggs are moved, the birds do not seem to return to them either. Friends of Uplands Park says two families were successful raising young last year there.
Uplands is host to many ground-nesting birds, including spotted towhee, chipping sparrow, orange-crowned warbler, dark-eyed junco and song sparrow. There are also many low-nesters, such as Anna’s hummingbird, bushtit, chestnut-backed chickadee and Bewick’s wren.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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