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Remember, remember hedgehogs this November!

As evenings become colder and bonfire night approaches, we want to take the time to remind everyone of the risks to wildlife that occur when lighting bonfires. Species including hedgehogs, frogs, toads and other small mammals will often make a home in dry spaces offered by a newly created unlit bonfire.

We have gathered some helpful tips to help keep hedgehogs and other small mammals safe in the lead up to bonfire night:

hedgehogs
  • Creating your bonfire on the same day it will be lit can stop wildlife from hiding inside the pile, however, if you are piling materials in advance, we suggest moving them to a new area on the day of lighting.
  • Create your bonfire on open and flat ground, away from piles of leaves that might hide hedgehogs and other wildlife.
  • If you are creating a large bonfire, you can prevent wildlife from finding shelter by creating a 1-metre high perimeter from the ground up using chicken wire, which will stop their access.
  • If you find hedgehogs nesting in your unlit bonfire, carefully move them and their nesting materials into a safe box, leaving it in a quiet area.
  • We recommend lighting the fire from one side to create an escape route for hedgehogs as a last resort.
Logs not hogs 2021_page-0001

idverde’s Charnwood depot became the third last year to label up their cutting machinery with bright yellow “hedgehog awareness” stickers provided by RSPB’s advice. Bringing our team up-to-speed on the importance of hedgehog conservation with regards to their current national status, ensuring that all operatives who use the cutting equipment on a daily basis, have their awareness of hedgehogs enhanced, especially when tackling long grass in and around parks, woodland and boundary hedges. British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), have been very supportive towards idverde becoming more hedgehog aware due to hedgehogs now being of conservation concern and a red-listed British mammal.

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