Sanctuary Life
Hedgehog watch this November
Bonfire Night: How to Keep Hedgehogs Safe on the 5th November
Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) , is a time of fun and celebration, but for wildlife, particularly hedgehogs, unlit bonfires present a significant danger. As temperatures drop, hedgehogs begin to look for safe, sheltered places to build their winter nests for hibernation, and a pile of bonfire materials can seem like the ideal, cosy spot. Sadly, many hedgehogs are killed or suffer severe injuries each year due to un-checked bonfires.
The single most effective way to prevent a hedgehog from nesting in your bonfire is to build it on the day you intend to light it.
- Store Materials Separately: Keep all your bonfire materials (logs, leaves, garden waste) in a safe, clear area, away from the bonfire site, until the day of the event.
- Re-build Just Before Lighting: Build the pile on clear ground right before lighting. Avoid building on top of piles of leaves or near pampas grass, as these are also popular hedgehog hiding spots.
If You Must Build in Advance
If it is unavoidable to build the bonfire ahead of time, you should take proactive steps to prevent entry:
- Create a Barrier: Encircle the entire base of the unlit bonfire with chicken wire, ideally one metre high. The wire should be held in place with stakes and slope outwards at an angle, making it difficult for hedgehogs to climb.
The Essential Check Before Lighting
Even if you follow the other steps, you must check the entire bonfire thoroughly for animals before lighting it. Hedgehogs tend to nest in the centre and the bottom two feet of the pile.
How to Check:
- Gently Lift Sections: Use a long pole or a broom handle to gently lift the bonfire materials section by section.
- NEVER Use Sharp Tools: Do not use a spade, fork, or rake, as these can easily stab and injure a hedgehog or other animal.
- Use a Torch and Listen: Use a bright torch to look inside the pile for any signs of movement. Listen carefully for a hissing sound, which is the noise a disturbed or distressed hedgehog makes.
- Consider Moving the Pile: The safest check of all is to dismantle the entire bonfire and move the materials to a new, clear patch of ground immediately before lighting.
What to Do If You Find a Hedgehog
If you find a hedgehog, or any other small animal:
- Wear Gloves: Gently pick it up using a pair of thick gardening gloves or an old towel to protect your hands and keep the hedgehog calm (and to avoid transferring human smells).
- Collect Nesting Material: Take as much of the original nest material as you can with the animal.
- Secure It: Place the hedgehog and its nest into a high-sided box (cardboard or plastic) lined with plenty of newspaper, old towelling, or straw. Ensure the box has air holes and a secure lid, as hedgehogs are surprisingly good climbers.
- Offer Food and Water: Provide a shallow bowl of fresh water and some meaty cat or dog food (preferably chicken/turkey in jelly rather than gravy).
- Relocate Safely: Store the box in a safe, quiet place like a shed or garage, well away from the festivities.
- Release Later: Once the bonfire is completely out and the embers are dampened down, release the hedgehog under a bush, log pile, or hedgerow near where it was found.
Final Lighting Tip
If you suspect you may have missed an animal, or just to be extra cautious, only light the bonfire from one side. This provides an unlit escape route on the other side for any wildlife still hiding inside.
By following these simple steps, you can enjoy a safe Bonfire Night while helping to protect Britain’s declining hedgehog population.