Sir – On Good Friday, between 5 and 6pm, there were many people enjoying the sunshine and peace on Port Meadow.

Not so the birdlife, which was being repeatedly chased off the full stretch of the standing water for at least 20 minutes by two dogs.

It was not clear whether the dogs killed as they went along. They did not leave the water until they were tired, and it was only then that there was any sign of an owner in the vicinity (some shouting could be heard).

Memo to dog owner: if you cannot control your dogs, don’t let them off the lead, especially in the breeding season.

Margaret Pelling, Oxford