Wildlife and Bonfires

Sunflower49 · 23-10-2012, 22:18

Nobody has spoken much about bonfire night on here yet so far as I have noted, but in connection to some organisations I support I just wanted to put a friendly reminder on here, for hedgehog safety and preservation.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society notes a 25% (that percentage may be even larger now) decline in hedgehog numbers in just ten years. Science predicts that they could be extinct by 2025.

These animals are useful to us as well as essential to the current British wildlife order. This, along with my personal sentiment (I love them and have been involved with their care and preservation for quite a while now) causes me to promote their cause on forums and other places I visit.

If you are having a bonfire, please take the time to take some simple actions to ensure that no hedgehogs are to burn to death because they have sought safety in an attractive pile of twigs/wood.An unlit bonfire looks attractive to many animals, including hedgehogs and as many bonfires are created over time, days or even weeks, it can come to provide an oasis for these creatures, until they are suddenly burned to death.
Easy things to do to make sure this is unlikely include;

[1 ]If at ALL possible, store the bonfire material elsewhere and move it to the location just before you start the fire.

[2] If you absolutely CANNOT do this, surround the bonfire with material unattrative to hedgehogs, metal mesh, chicken wire, any make shift 'wall' that will stop a hedgehog seeing it as a safe place to move in.

[3] Before you start the fire, take a torch and a stick or broom and search through it, overturn it, look for signs of life.

[4] Light the bonfire at one side rather than all round so that any animals or bird inside have a chance to escape.

[5] Move bird feeders and other food left out on the ground for wildlife away from the the bonfire site for at least a week before building a bonfire.

[6] Use fireworks away from trees and woodland.

[7] Detract hedgehogs. Build or obtain a 'hedgehog house'. An unwanted animal carrier, 'hutch', home-made shelter etc, some distance from the bonfire-providing space for any local hog that may otherwise be burning under a lit bonfire.

[8] Have a bucket of water available in case you need to put out the fire or an animal on fire.

[9] If you are going to an organised bonfire event, call beforehand to ask are they going to measures such as the above, tell them why you are concerned-if you want to, volunteer to help.

If you DO find a hedgehog before you light the bonfire, know who to call. This may be a local hedgehog-orientated charity or rescue, or simply somebody local who you know has animal knowledge and experience.

Hedgehogs are not aggressive creatures and do not usually object to being picked up. If you do not want to handle one, pick it up in a box and move to a safe place. Message me, or others who may be able to help, if necessary. Some may run away as soon as they are disturbed, others panic and will not.
Thank you for doing your bit for these (and other!) animals and have fun

I do not claim to be the oracle on this subject, even though I am a 'retired' activist, I try to still do a little bit to help.
Sugarmouse xx

kestrelx · 24-10-2012, 12:45

Good information!

A historic point Gypsy's used to eat hedgehogs; covered in mud they were baked in a fire, when done the mud was removed out came the spines.

DaveinGermany · 24-10-2012, 12:55

Surprised bonfires are still allowed what with "Well, it's all elf & Saifdy mate, innit ?"

Sunflower49 · 24-10-2012, 13:00

Me too, to be honest!And selling fireworks to the general public.

(Personally I think the latter is lunacy anyway)!

Sunflower49 · 24-10-2012, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrelx

Good information!

A historic point Gypsy's used to eat hedgehogs; covered in mud they were baked in a fire, when done the mud was removed out came the spines.

Your posts are so predictable!

maxthecollie · 24-10-2012, 15:50

Max is really sensitive to fireworks and it is hard work to ignore him when he comes to us shaking, but if we console hime and tell him " good boy" he will be rewarded for being frightened.

Sunflower49 · 24-10-2012, 16:07

That's another thing

pets suffer at this time of year. I feel for rabbits/guinea pigs in hutches sometimes just feet away from fires and fireworks

kestrelx · 24-10-2012, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarmouse0707

Your posts are so predictable!

Not really - just putting out some facts, that I thought you might not know - many years ago seagulls used to be eaten by many working people round costal areas. As did many other things that have now long left the menu.

kestrelx · 24-10-2012, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarmouse0707

Hedgehogs are not aggressive creatures and do not usually object to being picked up. If you do not want to handle one, pick it up in a box and move to a safe place. Message me, or others who may be able to help, if necessary. Some may run away as soon as they are disturbed, others panic and will not.

I wouldn't pick up an adult hedgehog the spines cause serious pain, use gloves. Also if you get to a certain distance they will curl up usually - then get your gloves out to pick them up.

Margaret Pilkington · 24-10-2012, 20:34

Problems with cats and dogs have been made much worse by the fact that fireworks are not confined to just bonfire night, but are let off at times both before and after the date.
On bonfire night I try to make sure my cat and dog are in the house away from the noises that scare them, but it is really difficult to protect your pets when thoughtless people let fireworks off on other days.

maxthecollie · 24-10-2012, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Problems with cats and dogs have been made much worse by the fact that fireworks are not confined to just bonfire night, but are let off at times both before and after the date.
On bonfire night I try to make sure my cat and dog are in the house away from the noises that scare them, but it is really difficult to protect your pets when thoughtless people let fireworks off on other days.

Hyndburn Council is one of the worst offenders when they set the fireworks off before the shops open late for Christmas Shopping. It's like being in a war zone. Since when have fireworks been associated with Christmas

Mick · 24-10-2012, 20:55

Someone has been setting them off round here for the last 2 weeks usually late at night

Margaret Pilkington · 24-10-2012, 21:03

And here as well Mick......it is a real pain in the backside. I try to make sure the cat is in, but sometimes she has gone out and the fireworks start(well, no they are Bangers...and they scare me) - it sounds like a busy night in Beirut.
I wish I knew who was responsible for it....I'm sure it isn't legal.

Sunflower49 · 24-10-2012, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrelx

Not really - just putting out some facts, that I thought you might not know - many years ago seagulls used to be eaten by many working people round costal areas. As did many other things that have now long left the menu.

Perhaps only predictable to me , then !I mean in the animal pics thread, this thread, other one I can't remember title of.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kestrelx

I wouldn't pick up an adult hedgehog the spines cause serious pain, use gloves. Also if you get to a certain distance they will curl up usually - then get your gloves out to pick them up.

Gardening gloves are good. I think I just know how to pick them up-have never been hurt by one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Problems with cats and dogs have been made much worse by the fact that fireworks are not confined to just bonfire night, but are let off at times both before and after the date.
On bonfire night I try to make sure my cat and dog are in the house away from the noises that scare them, but it is really difficult to protect your pets when thoughtless people let fireworks off on other days.

You know, Kya is not bothered AT ALL by them. To a weird extent . Hardly raises an ear. Other noises she is like any other dog, straight off to investigate but not with fireworks. I guess it's much better than her being scared so I don't mind!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

And here as well Mick......it is a real pain in the backside. I try to make sure the cat is in, but sometimes she has gone out and the fireworks start(well, no they are Bangers...and they scare me) - it sounds like a busy night in Beirut.
I wish I knew who was responsible for it....I'm sure it isn't legal.

Between 7 am and 11pm, I think it is illegal to use fireworks. I could be wrong I'm not the oracle on it but I *think* so . It scares me that any member of the public over 18 can easily get their hands on them, any time of year from a licensed establishment. I'm a bit biased though I guess, I've never liked fireworks.

Sunflower49 · 24-10-2012, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxthecollie

Max is really sensitive to fireworks and it is hard work to ignore him when he comes to us shaking, but if we console hime and tell him " good boy" he will be rewarded for being frightened.

Sorry missed this before, very good point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Someone has been setting them off round here for the last 2 weeks usually late at night

I would try to find out who it is and get them reported if it's after time. If they're letting them off for just, the sake of it, there's a chance they could also be using them otherwise irresponsibly.

But then as I said I've always disliked fireworks!