Be aware of wildlife (From Daily Echo)

Be aware of wildlife

7:00am Wednesday 4th November 2009 in

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A WILDLIFE charity is urging Hampshire residents to think about garden animals when building bonfires on fireworks night.

The RSPB says garden bonfires could disturb nesting birds and other wildlife, including hedgehogs which might try to hibernate in them.

RSPB wildlife adviser Ian Hayward said: “Thankfully birds aren’t known to suffer any physical ill-effects from fireworks and bonfire displays but of course they would be unsettling if they took place right next to where birds roost.

“We would ask everyone to consider wildlife when they decide where to build their bonfires and let off their fireworks.”

He added: “A hedgehog’s favourite place to hibernate is a cosy pile of leaves or logs so bear this in mind if you’re planning to burn a pile that you’ve been creating for a while.

“And even if you’ve only been adding to it for a few days in the run up to bonfire night, be aware that a hedgehog could have crept in recently.”