The song of the skylark is a treasured feature of Richmond Park, but with this RSPB red-listed bird under increasing threat, The Friends of Richmond Park is asking visitors to follow the latest guidelines introduced by The Royal Parks.

Visitors to the park should now keep their dogs on leads and stick to designated paths in the skylark protection zones all year round.

Richmond Park Manager Paul Richards says of these new measures: "Richmond and Bushy Parks already have designated skylark protection zones where dogs must be kept on leads and visitors are encouraged to keep to certain paths during the nesting season (February – September).

"This is to prevent people disturbing nesting skylarks and trampling their nests to try and improve breeding success and help protect this 'red-listed' threatened species.

"This protection will be extended to all year round to help overwintering skylarks as well as other bird species and wildlife.

"The hope is that trialing these measures won't just help the skylark but will also benefit other important wildlife in the park."

Friends of Richmond Park Chairman, Roger Hillyer, said: "The Friends wholeheartedly supports the designated protection zones for skylarks, the UK's most celebrated songbird. We ask visitors to please follow The Royal Parks' guidance and help save our skylarks."

Skylarks are on the RSPB 'red list' of conservation, meaning they are the highest conservation priority, needing urgent action.

Since the mid 1970s, the global population of Skylarks has declined by up to 75%.

Skylark protection zones in Richmond Park:

● Lawn Field (by Pen Ponds)

● Crown Field (between the sports pitches and Bone Copse)

● The Bog (between Bog Gate and Sheen Gate)

Friends of Richmond Park charity promotes the conservation, protection and improvement of the natural and physical environment of Richmond Park, and its peace and natural beauty for the benefit of the public and future generations.