麻豆社

It's not a military operation, but it is a programme from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust protecting a threatened canary-like bird species.

The yellowhammers used to be very common across the country, but their numbers have dropped by two thirds since the 1960s, largely due to changing farming practices which mean they don't have the same access to the seed they rely on for food.

A small population of the birds remain on the Wildlife Trust's healthland sites at Dropping Well Farm and The Devil鈥檚 Spittleful.

And now, in the hope of helping those populations increase, the Trust is urging people walking their dogs to keep their animals on the lead, so the birds are able to nest and breed in peace.

Our reporter Gavin Kermack has been to investigate with Worcestershire Wildlife Trust's community wildlife warden Ion Riley.

Image credit: Chris Farman