Spare a thought for wildlife at Guy Fawkes: This weekend I’ll be wrapped up warm and crowding round a roaring fire along with thousands of others across the country, cheering at the spectacular lights and colourful explosions in the night sky. Although bonfire night provides explosive entertainment for us, it is potentially lethal for many creatures looking to settle down for a seasonal snooze. As you plan your bonfire night celebrations this year, please spare a thought for the wildlife in your garden and help them survive the weekend.

Preparing for winter: At this time of year, many animals want to go into hibernation — hedgehogs and also slow worms, grass snakes and frogs like to hide away at the bottom of wood piles.

Seeking shelter from the wind and the rain, they crawl into warm, dry piles of wood to sleep away the wintry days and nights whilst food supplies are short.

The unlit bonfire seems like the perfect ‘bedroom’ for many creatures, but come November 5, they will be in for a rude awakening!

You can help: Now the weather has changed, birds are returning to our gardens for food provided by plants and shrubs, as well as the nuts and seeds we put out. At night-time in particular they are likely to be roosting in trees, bushes and even nest boxes to shelter from the cold.

Holding fireworks displays and bonfires too close to their shelters could disturb them. So for the sake of our feathered friends please be aware.

Top tips: Here are my four tips for planning a more wildlife-friendly fireworks display. They only take a minute to do but can prevent the creatures in your garden suffering a nasty surprise this weekend.

1. Be careful when gathering logs and leaves for your bonfire, because you may encounter garden birds, bugs and other wildlife seeking shelter.

2. Build your bonfire as close as possible to the time when you plan to light it so there is little chance of any creatures moving in. You could stack the pile of bonfire material near but not on the actual site, then build the bonfire the afternoon before lighting it.

3. Hedgehogs and other wildlife love hibernating in piles of leaves or logs, so check they are not inside your bonfire before you set it alight — some may have crawled in without you noticing. Alert any creatures to your presence by having a rustle around in the wood pile. 4. Try to avoid siting your bonfire or fireworks too close to trees, shrubs and nest boxes. As well as being a good safety tip, this will help minimise any disturbance to wildlife.

Recycle your bonfire: Once bonfire night is over why not think about creating a haven for wildlife in your garden?

Log piles make a great home for all sorts of garden wildlife including hedgehogs, insects, frogs and toads. Save any unburnt wood, leaves and twigs and pile them up in a place where they will not be disturbed for the winter. To find out more about creating wonderful wildlife gardens or about volunteering as a wildlife gardener at one of our beautiful nature reserves visit www.bbowt.org.uk or call 01865 775476.