The Brecon Beacons National Park Authority has reminded dog owners to keep dogs on leads when on crossing open access land, in order to protect nesting birds.

Between March 1 and July 31, dog walkers must keep their animals on a lead when crossing open country (mountain, moor, heath and down) even if there is no livestock on the land.

This is to keep ground-nesting birds like curlews safe.

Curlews nest in a wide variety of upland vegetation types. They usually select relatively tall vegetation, either within a tussock on rough pasture or within the tall, but not too dense, vegetation of an unimproved hay crop.

The Brecon Beacons National Park is the most southerly point in the UK where the iconic curlew breeds and the area plays a vital part in the species’ recovery.

The bird is famous for its hauntingly beautiful song and its long, curved beak which acts like a pair of tweezers or chopsticks to pincer prey in the mud.