LOAF PAPER 1-RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOUR MESSAGING

This document contains a proposal for the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) to create clear messages for dog walkers to help protect ground-nesting birds in the Cairngorms National Park. It suggests different advice depending on the bird species: for legally protected birds, like capercaillie, the guidance is to keep dogs on leads and stay on paths during their breeding season. For other ground-nesting birds, the usual advice is to keep dogs on short leads or under close control. However, if those birds are on the UK Red List (meaning they're highly vulnerable) and disturbance is an ongoing issue, the stricter "dogs on leads and stay on paths" message could be applied in specific areas, decided on a case-by-case basis. The aim is to develop consistent and effective communication to encourage responsible dog walking and prevent wildlife disturbance.