Remember Wildlife this Bonfire Night
Not long to go till the 5th of November, and the RSPB is asking you to remember, remember the local wildlife before you sort out Guy Fawkes this year! I’m pretty sure many of you will be attending a few bonfires this weekend, and of course on Monday, but before you start the festivities there’s a few things worth remembering.
4 Tips to Help Wildlife this Bonfire Night
- Make sure that if you’re having a bonfire in the garden that you don’t build it too close to any nest boxes, trees or bushes.
- If you’ve been building your firewood over some time, a few local animals may have seen this as a brand new house for them to live in. Animals like hedgehogs, frogs and even snakes would like nothing more than to curl up in their new wooden palace and the last thing I’m sure you’d want to do is set them on fire! May be worth having a quick look through the wood before you create the mother of all bonfires.
- Remember that your garden is also a home to wildlife, so please be aware that birds could be living in the nearby trees when you’re setting of fireworks.
- It’s also well worth keeping all dogs and cats indoor too, as I’m not sure they will appreciate the whooshes and bangs as much as you will!
Ben Andrew, from the RSPB’s wildlife enquiries team, said –
As you gather logs for your bonfire, consider where you pile them so as not to give birds and other wildlife a nasty surprise. Setting off fireworks near nestboxes, trees and bushes is big a no-no. During the hours of darkness these places become roosting sites so loud bangs and flashing lights could unsettle birds and other animals and cause them to move on. Every movement made in the cold weather uses up vital energy supplies, so unnecessary travel to find a quieter home could have a detrimental effect. Log piles and leaves are the perfect places for hibernating hedgehogs, amphibians and reptiles and they will usually be buried right at the bottom so it’s best to build your bonfire on the day you plan to light it to ensure no sleepy guests have moved in. It’s still possible to have a fun fireworks display and a brilliant bonfire in your garden without disturbing wildlife, it just takes a bit of care and common sense.
You can even help the local wildlife AFTER your bonfire extravaganza. Simply collect any unused logs and keep them in a pile in the corner of your garden, this will provide an amazing shelter for all sorts of wildlife over the coming winter months.
Have a great bonfire night people, stay safe, and look after not only each other but also the local wildlife.
If you would like to learn more about the work of the RSPB, or fancy adopting an animal through them, have a look at our dedicated charity page. You can find out loads more information on how you can help their amazing work, or even adopt a puffin or a cow!