As we leap into the heart of Spring, the season of garden tidying and bonfire celebrations is upon us. Many of you will be looking forward to the joy of a home-made bonfire, a cosy gathering place for friends and family under the night sky. However, it’s critical to remember the impact these activities can have on our local wildlife, particularly hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are small, nocturnal creatures that often lurk in piles of leaves and other garden debris – the very same piles we gather for our bonfires. By taking a few simple precautions, we can ensure that our activities do not harm these charming creatures. So, how can you build a hedgehog-friendly bonfire? Let’s delve into this important topic.
1. Plan and Prepare in Advance
Planning is the cornerstone of any successful activity, including building a bonfire. You can make the bonfire hedgehog-friendly by choosing the right place and time for the bonfire. Hedgehogs are nocturnal, and they roam the garden at night in search of food. The best time to build and light the bonfire is during the day when hedgehogs are less likely to be active.
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Choosing the right place for the bonfire is equally crucial. Avoid building bonfires near bushes, under trees or in areas with dense vegetation where hedgehogs might be hiding. Ideally, you should select an open, clear space in the garden. Also, check the surrounding area for signs of hedgehog activity such as footprints or droppings.
2. Building the Bonfire: Safety and Hedgehog Considerations
Building a bonfire involves more than just piling logs and branches together. Safety should be your top priority. A safe bonfire is not only beneficial for you and your guests, but also for the local wildlife, including hedgehogs.
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Start by building a small pile of twigs, branches and dry leaves in your chosen location. It’s essential to build the pile on the day of the bonfire to minimize the chance of a hedgehog taking residence. If you’ve had a pile of garden debris sitting for a while, it’s better to dismantle it and rebuild it on the bonfire day.
While building the bonfire, keep an eye out for hedgehogs and other small animals. Often, they can be nestled deep within the pile, camouflaged by the leaves and branches. If you find a hedgehog, gently pick it up using a pair of thick gardening gloves, place it in a high-sided box with some dog or cat food, and release it in a safe area away from the bonfire.
3. Check, Check and Check Again!
One check is not enough when it comes to ensuring the safety of hedgehogs. Before lighting the bonfire, conduct a thorough check of the pile. Use a torch to look inside the pile, paying close attention to the bottom where hedgehogs are likely to hide.
If you find a hedgehog during your check, follow the same steps mentioned earlier – gently move the hedgehog to a safe location far from the bonfire. Note that hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is illegal to harm them intentionally.
4. Lighting the Bonfire and Post-Bonfire Actions
Once you’ve carried out all the necessary checks, it’s time to light up your bonfire. However, remember to keep a close watch on the bonfire during the event. If you see any signs of disturbance or hear any rustling sounds, douse the fire with water immediately.
After the bonfire night, don’t forget to clean up the site. Any leftover food, especially cooked food, can be harmful to hedgehogs. Clear away any rubbish and keep the garden tidy to ensure it remains a safe place for hedgehogs and other wildlife throughout the year.
5. Be a Hedgehog Champion: Offer a Safe Haven in Your Garden
If you’re a fan of these prickly yet adorable creatures, why not go a step further and make your garden a safe haven for hedgehogs? You can do this by leaving out some water and cat or dog food (not fish-based) for them. Avoid leaving out milk and bread as these can cause digestive problems.
Creating a hedgehog-friendly garden also involves providing safe areas for shelter and breeding. Consider setting up a hedgehog box in a quiet corner of your garden. Hedgehogs also love compost heaps and log piles, which double as a source of food as they attract insects.
In summary, while bonfires are a fun and scenic addition to garden events, it’s our responsibility to ensure that they don’t harm our local wildlife. By taking these steps, you can enjoy your bonfire night knowing you’ve done your bit to protect hedgehogs and keep your garden a welcoming place for wildlife.
6. Build a Hedgehog House: Adding a Safe Spot in Your Garden
As you prepare for your bonfire night, you might want to consider creating a hedgehog house in your garden. This is a dedicated space where hedgehogs can find shelter, breed and hibernate during the colder months. Building a hedgehog house is a fantastic way to help hedgehogs and contribute positively to local wildlife conservation efforts.
Start by choosing a quiet spot in your garden, away from the hustle and bustle of human activity. The area should be well-shaded and covered, preferably near a hedge or fence. Hedgehogs love to roam and forage, so ensure there’s plenty of space for them to explore.
To build the house, you can use a variety of materials. A simple wooden box with a small entrance hole (about 13cm x 13cm) is sufficient. Inside the box, add some hay or leaves for bedding. You can also add a tunnel entrance using a piece of plastic piping or chicken wire to deter predators. A layer of soil, leaves, and twigs on top of the box will provide extra insulation and camouflage.
Remember to check the hedgehog house regularly for any occupants, especially before bonfire day. You must ensure that the hedgehog house is far from the bonfire area to prevent any chance of accidental harm to the hedgehogs.
7. The Role of Chicken Wire: A Simple but Effective Deterrent
An additional strategy to make your bonfire hedgehog-friendly is to use chicken wire. This material can be utilized in numerous ways to help ensure hedgehog safety during bonfire night.
One method is to encircle your bonfire pile with chicken wire, attaching it to stakes driven into the ground. The wire should be placed at a height that deters hedgehogs but allows you to add more wood as needed. This can discourage hedgehogs from moving towards the bonfire, providing them a chance to escape harm.
Another use for chicken wire is to place it under the bonfire pile. This will prevent hedgehogs from tunnelling into the pile from the bottom. The wire should be laid flat, and be sure to check for hedgehogs before lighting the fire.
Remember, using chicken wire is not a foolproof method and should be combined with the other measures discussed here. Always conduct a thorough check of your bonfire before lighting it.
Conclusion
As we enjoy the warmth and cheer of our bonfire celebrations, let’s remember our prickly friends, the hedgehogs. Making your bonfire night a hedgehog-friendly event is not only beneficial for the hedgehogs, but it also contributes positively to local wildlife conservation.
By planning and preparing in advance, conducting thorough checks, practicing safe bonfire practices, and providing a safe haven in our gardens, we can do our bit to protect these adorable creatures. The steps outlined in this article will help ensure your bonfire does not harm hedgehogs, allowing you to enjoy your bonfire night with a clear conscience. So, this Guy Fawkes Night, let’s pledge to make our bonfires a safe event for everyone, including our local wildlife.
