Spare a thought for the animals
Post categories: birds,Ìýbonfire night,Ìýwildlife
| 09:00 UK time, Friday, 5 November 2010
This bonfire night, the RSPB Cymru is asking everyone to spare a thought for our wildlife - and not just the family pooch!
At night-time, birds will be roosting in trees and bushes and holding firework displays too close to their shelters could disturb them.
A large firework display that's probably ruffled a few feathers:
Birds also use nest boxes in winter time for roosting in, so be careful where you put your catherine wheels and avoid lighting bonfires too close to them.
Always make a quick check for hedgehogs before lighting your bonfires - especially if you've been gathering wood for it over a few weeks.
Our prickly friends been having a hard time of it in recent years, so let's give them a helping hand whenever possible.
A baby hedgehog after being rescued:
Hedgehogs love old log piles and leaves to curl up in and sleep and could well be buried right at the bottom, so have a good look before you get the matches out.
Gently remove the top layer of twigs and leaves. If you accidentally disturb a hedgehog nest, carefully replace the material. The hedgehog will either repair it or move the nest elsewhere.
If you find young in the nest, avoid touching them. Similarly, if you find a hibernating adult, avoid waking it. If you do - leave some food out for it nearby until it hibernates again.
It's also a good idea to light your fire from one side only. This gives any animals inside - a chance to escape out of the other side as the fire begins to grow.
It's looking increasingly damp for night this year I'm afraid so I'm not sure how many fires will actually get lit in this current deluge!
But Derek will have a full forecast later.
Gull
Comment number 1.
At 5th Nov 2010, rediscover britain wrote:I think there is something to be said for only allowing organised firework displays and bonfires. This would allow people to go and enjoy them in a safe environment and the vulnerable people, pets and wildlife can stay safely away.
I have put a list of bonfire celebrations here for anyone that is interested.
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