Wildlife-Friendly Bonfire Night: Safety Tips

Bonfire night is, for many, a time for coming together and enjoying the amazing fireworks display and the glow of the bonfire.

Whilst we celebrate, it's easy to forget about the local wildlife that may be affected during all of this fun. From hibernating animals to small animals, and other invertebrates being affected by the noise and can be attracted to the large pile of lights that makes up a bonfire.

This doesn't mean the celebrations have to end, we just have to change a few small things to protect wildlife on bonfire night; so you can have fun, whilst knowing all of the garden wildlife are healthy and happy.

While enjoying hot chocolate and the Guy Fawkes celebration, be mindful of the impact on garden wildlife. Share your wildlife-friendly bonfire practices with friends and family to promote safer celebrations.

The Impact on Garden Wildlife

For animals both big and small, bonfire night is not a night to celebrate. It can bring a lot of harm to them. We can still enjoy bonfire night, just maybe not in the traditional way!

Firework Displays

As we know, fireworks are incredibly loud and these sudden, loud noises can cause stress in birds and other wildlife and cause disruption amongst species.

When fireworks go off, birds are a flight risk, and although this might not seem dangerous as birds can fly, it can cause them to fly at night which is something most birds don't do. It can lead to exhaustion, accidents or separation from their flock. In the Netherlands, they found that on New Years Eve a firework display caused 350,000 birds to flee from a nature reserve causing disruption to their resting and migration patterns.

Other animals, such as hedgehogs, rabbits and squirrels can be startled by the loud sounds and run - this could be into roads which can be really dangerous. Wildlife sheltering may also abandon their nest which can leave them very vulnerable.

The Dangers of Bonfires

Although they bring warmth and joy for us, they are a real danger to many animals. Many small animals just see bonfires as a wood pile which is a great sheltered spot and they may be nesting in it when it is set on fire. Bonfires also produce air pollution which is not good for the environment.

One of the most at risk animals during bonfire night are Hedgehogs. Often seeking refuge in the natural materials used in bonfires, they are an attractive place to hide, especially when a bonfire is built several days before it is lit. In the UK alone, hibernating hedgehogs populations have declined due to deaths caused by unsuspecting bonfires.

Amphibians such as frogs and toads are also drawn to a log pile as safe havens. This shelter can end up putting them in an incredibly dangerous situation.

Choosing Wildlife-Safe Fireworks Alternatives

Fortunately, we don't have to give up all of the fun as there are lots of alternatives that won't cause as much harm to animals.

Traditional fireworks are loud and it's that sound that has the biggest affect on wildlife. Silent or low noise fireworks are a great option to allow people to still enjoy bonfire night whilst keeping animals safe. This lowers the risk of startling animals and prevents the panic seen in many animals. If you're planning your own fireworks, these are more widely available in shops.

If you're looking to celebrate in a completely different way, laser light shows are a great option. Colour beans project into the sky to create really cool patterns. This completely eliminates all of the noise related issues, as lasers make no sound and they don't produce any debris or chemical pollution.

Pre-Bonfire Checklist to Protect Wildlife

1. Pick a Safe Location

   In our gardens and parks, one corner could look safe, but it could be so important to the natural wildlife in that area, so it's always crucial to pick a site away from any wood piles, log piles or garden waste (compost heap) that could be harbouring hibernating animals. Open ground, away from overhanging trees is usually the best place to set up the bonfire pile.

2. Build Your Bonfire on The Day

   For hedgehogs, and other small animals, a pre built bonfire is the perfect shelter. By building it on the day, you reduce the chance of these animals taking refuge there. Even if you do build your bonfire on the day, always check the entire bonfire for any hedgehogs, or small mammals, that may have snuck in.

3. Create Safe Havens for Wildlife

   If you have the space, when bonfire night comes around, provide shelter for these animals. This could be picking a quiet corner in your garden to build a log pile or place a nest box, such as a hedgehog nest box.

Post-Bonfire Cleanup

After all of the celebrations, be sure to clean up any debris from the fire and fireworks. This will prevent any animals coming into contact with things that may cause harm to them.

It might also be worth doing a quick check of your garden to see if there are any injured animals.

So put on your gardening gloves and get cleaning!