Make your bonfire night as wildlife friendly as possible!

Please be mindful of wildlife in bonfires this weekend! A pile of wood is the perfect shelter for hedgehogs and other animals such as amphibians, rodents and hibernating reptiles. Here are some top tips to avoid wildlife casualties:

• If you are planning a bonfire, please either construct it on the day of lighting or deconstruct and rebuild prior to lighting
• Build your bonfire on clear ground, avoiding building on top of dead leaves or grass clumps
• Even when building it on the day of lighting, if it has been left unattended for any amount of time be sure to check the bonfire thoroughly for any signs of life prior to lighting
• Put a barrier around your bonfire immediately after building it, this could be chicken wire or even better an amphibian exclusion fence to prevent any wildlife from reaching it

Now when it comes to fireworks, unfortunately for Freddie the owl this is a very stressful and potentially dangerous occurrence due to the loud sudden noises and flashes of fireworks. Freddie will be spending bonfire night indoors in the safety of our home to make the night as stress free as possible for him.

Please when celebrating bonfire night with fireworks consider ways to lessen the impact to wildlife and pets around you. Here are some top tips:

• If possible attend a planned display event that the surrounding neighbours have had time to prepare for rather than setting off fireworks at your own home.
• If you do choose for a firework display at your home be sure to notify neighbours with animals so they have time to take the necessary preparations to protect and support their pets.
• There is also the option now to use silent or low noise fireworks which is certainly a better option for the surrounding wildlife too! 

Have a wonderful time for all those celebrating, and to those with pets be sure to check in on them regularly and be ready to intervene if they begin to show any signs of stress.

Pictured is an orphaned hedgehog we successfully hand reared and released this year, and Freddie the tawny owl who's very sensitive to fireworks.