A DRASTIC drop in the numbers of skylarks found in Richmond Park has prompted managers to create a 'protected zone' where the endangered birds can nest safe from dogs and walkers.

A patch of grassland near Pen Ponds will be sectioned off between February and July in a bid to encourage the skylarks to breed.

Visitors entering the area will be asked to stick to footpaths and keep their dogs on short leads.

A Royal Parks spokesman said: "The park is asking members of the public who visit the area to co-operate with this project and take special care in order to preserve these rapidly declining birds.

"It is a great sadness that in recent years, fewer skylarks have been seen or heard in Richmond Park.

"These beautiful birds make their nests on the ground amongst tussocky grasses and their decline within the park may be due to the increasing disturbance of their nesting areas by park visitors and their dogs."

The Richmond Park Bird Recording Group initiated the project and volunteers will survey the area again in the spring.

Comparisons will be made with the 'protected zone' and another area which is not protected in the same way.

The RPA spokesman said: "Within living memory, brown hares roamed Richmond Park's grassland and nightjars could be heard on summer evenings as dusk fell.

"These and other species have been lost to the park over the passing years.

It would be tragic if the skylark followed suit and the melodious outpourings of Shelley's blithe spirit' were no longer to grace our summer skies."

Richmond Park manager Simon Richards said: "It is hoped that by giving the skylarks protection from disturbance during the breeding season, it will increase their chances of breeding successfully."