DRONES buzzing around the countryside are having an effect of wildlife in Dorset, it is warned.

With the number of drones and model aircraft being flown in the countryside for leisure purposes increasing, it has raised concerns with heathland managers over the effects on wildlife and grazing livestock.

The warning comes from the Urban Heaths Partnership, made up of councils and wildlife bodies working to protect sensitive heathland in Dorset.

It has growing concerns in particular for nesting birds which are susceptible to disturbance. Any interference during nesting could cause the adult birds to abandon eggs or chicks with obvious consequences. It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb nesting rare birds such as the Dartford warbler which breeds on our heaths.

Grazing livestock such as cattle, ponies and goats commonly seen on heathland sites, can be panicked by drones or model aircraft causing them to bolt and so possibly injuring themselves or passers-by.

Drones are now not only used by private individuals but also by the police, fire services and by land managers for surveying habitats.

The Urban Heaths Partnership asks if you own a drone or model aircraft to contact the owner of a site you intend to fly over to obtain permission and ensure you always fly responsibly and within the law.

Other advice is:

* You must keep the unmanned aircraft within your sight at all times which is a maximum of 120m vertically or 500m horizontally from the operator

* Don’t fly your unmanned aircraft within 50m of a person, vehicle, building or property, (including livestock)

* It is illegal to fly your unmanned aircraft over streets, towns and cities and crowds of people

* You are responsible for avoiding collisions with other people or objects - including aircraft. It is highly recommended that you have liability insurance in case of accidents or incidents

* Drones weighing over 20kgs are required to be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority.

For the Civil Aviation Authority's ‘Drone Code’, a useful guide to the legislation and requirements, see dronesafe.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Dronecode.pdf

Any suspected breaches of drone regulations or any other anti-social behaviour should be reported to the police in the first instance on 101.