Hedgehogs are declining severely in Britain and our aim is to increase the population of these lovely animals within the village. Several of us have signed up to be Hedgehog Champions and we are looking at making some simple changes in the village that will make a difference for hedgehogs. Over the last two years we have been logging the sightings of our spiky residents, and increasing the awareness and plight of the hedgehog. This has been successful and I now receive monthly updates of sightings around the village. There is some brilliant information about hedgehogs below which I hope you find interesting together with some pictures and videos that have been sent in to me. Hope you enjoy looking at them.
May 2022
Our spiky friends have emerged from hibernation and we could do so much to help them. I have been so excited this month because after 2 years of logging everyone else's sightings of a hedgehog our garden night camera picked up a very brief sighting of our very own hedgehog in the garden. Now I can log my sighting!
We had another three sightings of hedgehogs last month which I will log onto the National Hedgehog site. Thank you for sending me the wonderful pictures and videos of your sightings around the village and please do keep these pictures and videos coming. Also keep building those log piles for the nesting season and also to keep them safe and away from their predators. Please see the below information from Hedgehog Street:
One of our top tips for hedgehogs is to retain a wild, undisturbed patch in the garden. Longer grass and wildflowers provide nesting materials as well as vital, natural insect prey for visiting hedgehogs. Reducing your use of mowers and strimmers will also minimise the risk of injury to hedgehogs and other wildlife. Each May, the charity Plant Life encourages gardeners and councils to take similar action through their ‘No Mow May’ campaign – aka no mowing for the month! As well as incorporating a wild patch into your own garden, now is the perfect time to get your local council involved in this growing campaign. Relaxing mowing regimes in local parks and greenspaces benefits struggling pollinators like bees and butterflies, as well as hedgehogs.
For further information on hedgehogs please see the Hedgehog Group on www.sustainablebishop.com, where you can also see many of the pictures you have sent in of our spiky residents and also find some interesting information, for example, how to build a hedgehog house. Don't forget you can also see plenty of information on the National Hedgehog Street website.
June 2022
This month our spiky friends have been seen around the village after emerging from their hibernation.
Well done to everyone who have contact me with your sightings; to date we have logged 80 sightings of our spiky friends around the village, well done, but can we log 100 sightings? Please keep logging your sightings and send me your pictures and videos so I can log on the National Hedgehog site.
Our spiky friends will be mating soon, so please ensure supplementry food and water is available in your gardens, together with a wood pile or a hedgehog home which will protect our friends from preditors during this important time in their life. Please also ensure that hedgehogs can move freely from one garden to another by ensuring there is a hole in your fencing which helps them to meet and mate with other hedgehogs during the mating season.
July 2022
Thank you to you all who have contact me with your sightings; to date we have logged 84 sightings of our spiky friends around the village, well done, but can we get to log 100 sightings? Please keep logging your sightings and send me your pictures and videos so I can log on the National Hedgehog site.
Hoglet season is finally upon us, and we couldn’t be happier. The pitter patter of tiny feet will be gracing our gardens as hoglets prepare to leave the nest for the first time with mum. Hoglets are born all through the spring and summer, so may be seen at different stages. They’re born pink and blind and spend the first weeks of life safely in the nest, feeding on their mother’s milk. At around four weeks old, they’ll start to join mum on trips out of the nest.
As much as you may be curious, it’s vital to avoid checking nests or hedgehog houses in the garden. Mothers are particularly susceptible to disturbance during this time and may even abandon the nest if they feel threatened. Be patient and hopefully you’ll see them when hoglets start venturing out with mum.
Summer is a time of year when hedgehogs may be seen out during the day. While hedgehogs are nocturnal and a hedgehog in the day is often cause for concern, this isn’t always the case, especially as the days grow longer. Here’s a few tips for identifying whether a daytime hedgehog needs intervention…
Red flags to look out for in the day include hedgehogs appearing lethargic, with flies around them, wobbling on their feet, or any hoglets without an adult. If the hedgehog is showing any of these signs, it’s best to follow this advice and call The British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890 801.
If the hedgehog is out in the day but moving with purpose and appears to be collecting grass or leaves, it’s best to leave it. This is likely a mother feeding and gathering nesting materials. If you’re unsure, keep an eye on the hedgehog from a safe distance and contact BHPS for advice.
If you see a hedgehog that is obviously injured or trapped, it needs help regardless of whether it’s day or night.
Fabulous News. We have now logged 70 sightings of our spiky residents onto the National Hedgehog Street website, www.hedgehogstreet.org.
If yes, please do send me a photo/videos and your address so I can log our spiky friends.
The picture shows the whereabouts of our resident hedgehogs in the village.
Courtesy of Mary in Bishopsteignton
Courtesy of Mary in Bishopsteignton
Courtesy of Mary in Bishopsteignton
Good news. Last year saw an increase in activity and awareness of our spiky resident, the hedgehog. This resulted in many sightings in our village! I am happy to report that we now have over 45 sightings. This is wonderful news! I wonder how many we will be log in 2022?
Thank you so much for the lovely photos and videos you have sent to me. The photo above is from a sighting at Great Furlong.
Please do keep the pictures and videos coming of our spiky friends so we can log their location on the National Hedgehog Street website. Watch out for more pictures that you send to me in the section below.
To increase awareness of the hedgehog plight, last year I did a presentation on zoom with the Teignmouth Guides so they could learn more about hedgehogs which also helped them achieve their hedgehog badge. I have also provided information at the village festival together with giving a workshop to some KS1 children from the school. Also I update the residents in the village about hedgehogs every month in the Village Chronicle. Hope you enjoy reading my monthly updates.
Is your garden hedgehog friendly? How many of these things do you have in your garden to help hedgehogs.
Log Piles
Leaf Piles
Wildflower Patch
Link to the next garden
Pond
Overgrown Corner
Hedgehog Home
Supplementary food
Compost Heaps
Supply of Water
What have you done to make your garden hedgehog friendly?
ELM Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue and Rehab (Seale Hayne)
https://www.facebook.com/savinghedgehogs/
ARK Wildlife Garden Supplies (Retailer )
https://www.arkwildlife.co.uk/blog/all-about-hedgehogs/
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