Please don't make tonight the night you'll regret for the rest of your life.
Unlike most mammals, hedgehogs don't have the Fight or Flight Response to danger.
That means that no matter how frightened they are, they don't bite, and they don't run away.
Their response to danger is to curl up into a protective ball, and wait until the threat passes.
That's why so many get run over by approaching cars.
That's why so many are maimed and killed by approaching strimmers.
And that's why so many get burned alive in bonfires.
❌Poking a stick under the bonfire pile will just make the hedgehog inside curl into a ball.
Even if you touch her and hurt her, she won't move or make a sound.
❌Lighting it from one side will just make the hedgehog curl even tighter.
As the smoke fills her lungs and her coat begins to singe, she will freeze in place and wait for the danger to pass.
❌Shining a light under the bonfire will just make the hedgehog ball even tighter.
She'll stay silent and close her eyes so they don't reflect light and give her presence away.
The ONLY way to make a bonfire safe is to build it the same day you light it.
So if it's already built, you need to move today, before lighting it tonight.
Please stay safe, and make sure it's only the rockets that scream.
Some great spots at Maryport Coastal Park over the last week, several species of orchid including a Bee 🐝 orchid and Purple Broomrape #wildflowerhour@BSBIbotany
@BBCSpringwatch this rather battered red admiral spent about 40 mins on our chives last week, we only have pots so we try really hard to make it pollinator friendly 🐝🦋