WALKERS are being urged to tread carefully on the Malvern Hills over the coming months in a bid to protect ground-nesting birds.

The Malvern Hills Conservators - which manages the slopes - is appealing to ramblers to stick to the main paths so they avoid areas where they might nest such as the grassy open areas on the hilltops.

It comes as the nesting season for birds such as meadow pipits, wheatears and skylarks - which can be spotted on the hills - began recently.

Conservators' warden Nicky Quinn said it would last another couple of months and they were concerned if the nests were disturbed the mother would fly off, leaving the baby birds to fend for themselves.

The group has said it is particularly concerned about skylarks as their numbers on the Hills are declining, supported by surveys carried out locally.

Their nests are hard to spot as they build a dome in the ground in open spaces and camouflage it with fine grasses.

"Not everyone is going to change their routine but it's just to highlight the fact it is the nesting season so for people to just be aware," she said.

"Of course there are also other things like reptiles that are breeding at this time of year they should also watch out for."

The RSPB's public affairs officer Andy Waters said the decline with skylarks was a national issue - with number dropping by almost 50 per cent between 1994 and 2003.

"Spring and early summer is a wonderful time to get out and enjoy the Worcestershire countryside, with its singing and displaying birds," he added.

"By sticking sensibly to marked footpaths for the next few weeks, people should be able to enjoy the fresh air without causing too much disturbance for birds trying to raise their young.

Hills' wildlife leaflets are available from Malvern's tourist information centre in Church Street, the library in Graham Road or the Conservators' office in Grange Road.