The Ground Beneath Our Feet: Why Every Step Matters
Ground-nesting Birds need grass, not paths
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Ground Matters
When you step into a nature reserve or wander through a patch of wild grassland, it might feel like you're in harmony with the natural world. But what if we told you that every footstep could be part of an invisible crisis—one that silently destroys soil, devastates habitats, and drives away wildlife?
At Andover Trees United, we’re calling attention to an issue that’s often overlooked: footfall damage to fragile soils and the destruction it causes to our ecosystems, especially to ground-nesting birds.
Soil: The Life Beneath Us
Soil is more than just the ground we walk on. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem, home to billions of microbes, fungi, insects, and plant roots that support the entire food web. Healthy soil holds water, stores carbon, supports biodiversity, and grows the plants that feed both animals and humans.
But this delicate structure can be crushed in seconds by a few careless footsteps.
Footfall: A Silent Killer
Whether you’re out for a run, walking the dog, or just exploring off-path, your steps have a real impact:
Soil compaction: Repeated foot traffic squeezes out air pockets, preventing roots from growing and water from filtering.
Plant damage: Trampled grass and wildflowers often cannot regrow, leaving bare patches.
Erosion and runoff: Damaged soil washes away in rain, stripping the land of nutrients and polluting nearby waterways.
Worse still, soil can take decades—or even centuries—to recover, if it recovers at all.
Photo by Gabriel Jimenez on Unsplash
Skylark - scientific name: Alauda Arvensis. Photo by Heather Wilde.
Lapwing - scientific name: Vanellus vanellus. Photo by Lukáš Kadava.
Nightjar - scientific name: Caprimulgus europaeus. Photo by Hongbin.
Ground-nesting Birds need grass, not paths
Some of our most threatened bird species, such as the skylark, lapwing, nightjar, and stone-curlew, build their nests directly on the ground in open fields and grasslands. They rely on dense, unbroken vegetation to hide their eggs and chicks from predators.
Even if it looks like there’s “nothing there,” walking through these areas flattens the vegetation they depend on. Ground-nesting birds will abandon their nests if disturbed, and exposed eggs quickly fall prey to predators or temperature changes.
It's not just a spring or summer concern. These areas need year-round protection so that vegetation can regrow and support wildlife during the next breeding season.
What About Dogs?
Dogs, even the friendliest ones, pose a major threat when they run off-lead through sensitive habitats. A curious nose poking into a clump of grass may be enough to scare off a nesting bird forever.
That’s why we ask everyone to:
Keep dogs on leads in nature reserves and open grassland areas.
Avoid walking through meadows, even in winter, unless paths are clearly marked.
Be alert to signs and seasonal guidance—your awareness makes a difference.
Local Impact: Why Andover’s Wild Spaces Matter
Andover and the surrounding countryside are home to precious rewilding zones, meadows, chalk grasslands, and community woodlands—many nurtured and protected by our volunteers and local partners. But these places are under pressure.
Without clear understanding and community cooperation, we risk turning these vital spaces into compacted, barren landscapes that can no longer support life.
What you CAN do!
Protecting fragile soils is simple—and starts with small actions:
Stay on designated paths
Avoid walking across wild grasslands or unmarked open areas
Keep dogs on leads
Share this message with friends, family, and walking groups
Support organisations like Andover Trees United that care for our shared environment
The next time you step out into nature, ask yourself: "What’s under my feet?"
It might be a web of roots, a patch of moss sheltering insects, or even the unseen nest of a rare bird. Our love of the outdoors should come with respect for its limits.
Let’s walk with purpose—and with care—so that future generations can enjoy the same wild beauty we do today.
Because every step leaves a mark.