CAMPAIGNERS for hedgehog safety are urging Worcestershire residents to watch out for the spiny animals before any bonfires are lit during upcoming celebrations.
Worcestershire homebuilder, Barratt Homes, has collaborated with the nationwide campaign Hedgehog Street – run by The British Hedgehod Preservation Society (BHPS) and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) – to encourage households to check their unlit bonfires for animals before beginning their celebrations.
According to the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report published by BHPS & PTES, rural hedgehog populations have dropped by up to 75% in some parts of the country since 2000, and although urban hedgehogs appear to be faring slightly better, they all still need our help.
As well as this, hedgehogs are classified as Vulnerable to extinction on the Red List for Britain’s Mammals (2020), and the reasons behind their decline include habitat loss, fragmentation and agricultural intensification, to name a few.
Barratt Homes has been partnered with the RSPB since 2014 and is committed to supporting nature and wildlife at its developments in Worcestershire.
As part of this pledge, the developer is creating wildlife friendly gardens at its developments, including hedgehog homes and ‘Hedgehog Highways’ (13cm square gaps in or under garden fences or walls).
Advice for protecting hedgehogs on bonfire night include building your bonfire on the day of lighting to reduce risks to animals and moving your bonfire to clear ground just before lighting.
Those having a bonfire can also make a barrier around them after its built to deter hedgehogs and check the bonfire thoroughly before lighting. And lastly, light your bonfire from one side to give wildlife a chance to escape.
Grace Johnson, hedgehog officer for Hedgehog Street, said: “Bonfire Night is a calendar event for many people, but unfortunately bonfires are extremely dangerous to hedgehogs as they don’t realise what looks like an enticing nest will soon be lit.”
Hedgehog experts from Hedgehog Street offer various top tips for helping hedgehogs in any garden.
Including making a Hedgehog Highway, creating leaf piles and compost heaps which could be the perfect nesting area, encouraging natural insect food with log piles, or offering shallow dishes of water.
Hedgehog Street is also encouraging people to log hedgehog sightings on its interactive BIG Hedgehog Map to help researchers and conservationists.
Adrian Evans, managing director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes, said: “It’s extremely important to us when building new communities that we’re also creating a space for wildlife to thrive.
“We would like to thank Hedgehog Street for sharing these tips, and we hope they can help to keep local hedgehog populations stable.”
Visit www.hedgehogstreet.org for more information.
