Top five tips to protect hedgehogs in Derbyshire this Bonfire Night

The developers, in collaboration with the nationwide campaign Hedgehog Street (run by wildlife charities The British Hedgehog Preservation Society ((BHPS)) and People’s Trust for Endangered Species ((PTES)), are encouraging households to watch out for hedgehogs and other small animals that may take refuge in unlit bonfires, and to take steps to ensure their safety before any bonfires are lit.

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 and David Wilson Homes have partnered with the RSPB since 2014 and are committed to supporting nature and wildlife at their developments in Derbyshire.

As part of this pledge, the developers are creating wildlife friendly gardens at select developments, as well as including hedgehog homes and ‘Hedgehog Highways’ (13-centimetre square gaps in or under garden fences or walls) where possible, alongside a range of other eco-friendly features for other native wildlife.

Experts from Hedgehog Street have shared top tips for making any garden hedgehog-friendly. Suggestions include installing a ‘hedgehog highway’ to give hedgehogs access between gardens as they search for food, shelter, and mates; creating leaf piles and compost heaps for nesting; adding log piles to attract insects for natural food; and placing shallow dishes of water for hydration.

Hedgehog Street is also encouraging people to log hedgehog sightings on its interactive BIG Hedgehog Map which helps researchers and conservationists to understand where hedgehogs have been spotted across the country, and how many Hedgehog Highways have been created.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes have issued a five-point plan based on advice from experts at Hedgehog Street to help keep hedgehogs safe this Bonfire Night.

1. Build your bonfire at the last minute to stop any hedgehogs moving in. Building your bonfire on the day of lighting can help reduce the risk to hedgehogs.

2. Move the entire bonfire to clear ground just before lighting, to give our prickly friends a chance to escape.

3. Make a barrier around your bonfire after it is built using old tyres or other objects to deter hedgehogs from entering.

4. Check the bonfire thoroughly just before lighting. Even if you have taken into account the other steps, there is no harm in triple checking! You might even find other animals including amphibians and reptiles using the bonfire for shelter.

5. Light your bonfire from one side, to give any wildlife that might still be inside an escape route out.

Grace Johnson, Hedgehog Officer at 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. Following our top tips is an effective (and really easy) way to help protect hedgehogs from this threat, along with other wildlife that might also be in the pyre.”

Rhys Nicholson, Managing Director at Barratt 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 the advice given can help to keep local hedgehog populations stable.”

For more ways to help hedgehogs, especially as they prepare for hibernation, visit www.hedgehogstreet.org