Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT) is asking visitors to the Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve in Weymouth to take extra care as cattle will be present for the first time during the winter period. More will be added in spring 2019.
There will be seven female cows and one bull present in the fields at Lorton Meadows over the winter. DWT is urging visitors walking dogs to observe the dog traffic lights system now operating for their own safety, and to ensure they do not disturb or approach cattle whilst enjoying the nature reserve.
DWT’s Community Conservation Officer, Sam Dallimore said, “We welcome dogs and their owners to Lorton Meadows, where the welfare of both people and animals is very important to us. The introduction of the dog traffic light system is essential to ensure that visitors enjoy our nature reserve safely when we have cattle or ground-nesting birds present. Lorton Meadows has such a diverse and wonderful habitat, including a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and areas used by ground nesting birds from February to August. We hope that as long as visitors can adhere to the traffic light system when walking dogs, close gates and ensure they don’t disturb cattle, then this can continue to be a great place for people to enjoy and for wildlife to thrive in.”
The traffic light system is used on all the gates at Lorton Meadows. A red sign means no dogs are allowed, an amber sign means dogs must be kept on leads and a green sign means dogs are permitted but must be kept under effective control. Visitors are also invited to drop into the Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre before their walk to pick up a map and trail leaflet where staff and volunteers can answer any questions.
All the information can also be found on the Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve page on the website at: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/Lorton_Meadows_Nature_Reserve
To contact Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre, phone 01305 816546 or email enquiries@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk.