Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which cares for Attenborough Nature Reserve as well as dozens of other sites across the county covering over 1000hectares, has issued warnings over both fire and water linked to the current heatwave.

Last week, staff and volunteers had to respond to a report of a fire smouldering at its much loved Bunny Old Wood (west) nature reserve off the A60 at Bunny Hill. This came two weeks after another incident at the wood, famous for its displays of bluebells, required the attendance of Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue service.

Speaking about the incidents Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of Communications Erin McDaid said: “The report of a fire we received last Thursday was very worrying as it came in via Twitter and we were unable to verify when it may have been started or the precise location. As a result one of our volunteers had to make a couple of trips to the woodland to try and locate it. Worryingly he found evidence of another fire and it wasn’t until the following day that he discovered the fire site that had been reported.”

The charity is shocked and concerned that people seem to setting fires deliberately in such a fragile habitat, especially as the current hot dry weather has made ground conditions extremely dry.

Mr McDaid added: “In hot dry spells we are always concerned about the prospect of a grass fire on one of our heaths or meadows as these can be caused by a discarded cigarette or even a glass bottle, but the prospect of someone lighting fires deliberately in such dry condition in a cherished woodland is very worrying indeed.”

Given the national publicity surrounding extensive moorland fires in Lancashire, Manchester and,  earlier in the summer, in the Peak District - Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust is urging people to be vigilant against the risk of fire in the countryside and to report any suspicious activity. In addition to extra visits by volunteers, the Trust has enlisted the help of local horseriders and walkers to keep a close eye on the wood.

In addition to increasing the risk of damage to important wildlife habitats from fire, the Trust has urged people to spare a thought for wildlife that may be struggling to find water and to consider making their garden more wildlife friendly. During prolonged dry spells, natural water bodies, especially ephemeral sources such as puddles and tractor tracks often used by wildlife, disappear very quickly and ditches and ponds can also start to dry out. These can be replaced in gardens by purpose made bird-baths and even something as simple as an old washing up bowl or large plant pot saucer.

Mr McDaid added: “Gardeners are urged to keep bird baths topped up and if you haven’t got a bird bath we’d ask that you put out some form of container where wildlife can drink and birds can bathe. A washing up bowl with some pebbles and few inches of water will make a great addition, enabling foxes, badgers, birds and even insects to drink. If you can sink it below the surface or make a ladder access inside and out using old bricks, then it can be used by hedgehogs too.”