Hedgehog Highways

by | Mar 29, 2020 | Wildlife

Hedgehog Highways? Wait a minute what on earth are these, I thought hedgehogs and roads didn’t mix.

We have enough problems providing cycle lanes don’t we?

Well no it’s not that complicated thank goodness.

Although hedgehogs are one of our favourite garden visitors, they have been in steady decline for many years. In fact no one really knows how many of these lovable creatures are still around but we do known that there has been at least a 30% decline in numbers over the past 10 years.

They are at risk because of the loss of their habitat through changes to agricultural practices, as farmers turned to mono culture. The use of pesticides and the removal of hedgerows.

In suburban areas we come across hedgehogs bumbling around our gardens during summer nights and they are a welcome sight. We don’t see them in winter as they hibernate re-emerging around Easter time.

That said it is astonishing how many people who I have spoken to say that they can remember having hedgehogs in their garden years ago but now no longer see them.

Our gardens should be a haven for these little hogs but even here they are at risk. Whether it’s by our pet cats or dogs or having to cross busy roads. What is clear is that there are fewer and fewer of them around. In some areas it’s the increasing numbers of badgers who have slimmed down numbers through competition. However the simple act of putting down slug pellets, has an impact. They are a poison which makes them ill and could kill them.

Warmer winters also disrupt their hibernation. They may lose weight and die if the weather is warm for a long period of time as with no food available in winter they can starve. Youngsters are particularly at risk.

Loss of territory has a big impact. Home owners put up fences which stops the hedgehogs from getting from one garden to the next. Hedgehogs can travel 1 to 2 kms a night as they search for food and will pass through many gardens on their travels only returning to their nest for the day. If they cannot get around then they cannot feed and starve.

It seems almost hopeless but don’t despair. There is still plenty you can do.

You can leave food out for hedgehogs such as cat or dog food, which assists them at times when their natural food is scarce. It was tradition to put out milk and bread but this can kill them. I leave out hedgehog food from a local garden centre mixed with live meal worms. Yum. Oh and a bowl of water.

A simple way of helping is to try and garden in a more organic way and remember to stop using slug pellets.

Leave log piles at the back of your garden where the hedgehogs can create nests. You may find that they will have already nested under your garden shed. A popular choice so have a look. You can even make or buy hedgehog homes which will be used during the summer months. If you are lucky, they may also hibernate in them during the winter.

Ponds can be dangerous for hedgehogs because although good swimmers, steep slippery sides means they can struggle to get out if they fall in. The answer is to either put a shallow beach at one end so they can walk out or just hang some chicken wire netting over one end to allow the hedgehogs to climb out.

Be careful with plastic garden netting though which can be dangerous, trapping the hogs. Keep nets well staked so they don’t get entangled and maybe lift them. Or use something more robust.

If you do have a garden waste pile that you intend to burn check it carefully as you may have a prickly guest hiding underneath.

Also be aware when using strimmers on rough ground as this can be where hedgehogs hide during the day and they can sustain severe injuries.

So hang on, I mentioned hedgehog highways didn’t I and I still haven’t explained them have I. Well these are the routes that hedgehogs travel during the night. You may find that hogs will have followed these routes through our gardens over many years.

The idea is to survey Whitchurch and see if we can establish where these hedgehog routes are. We can then see what we can do to maintain numbers whilst also helping the hedgehogs by looking at the gardens they pass through and help them become more hedgehog friendly.

This has been successful in other parts of the UK through the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and Hedgehog Street.

So how do you know if you have hedgehogs. Well you can sit out in the garden on a warm summer night and listen for them! Put out food and see if it is eaten, or look out for hedgehog pooh.

Remember that if you see a hedgehog during the day it is ill. They will need rescuing and sending to a local wildlife rescue centre or hedgehog rescue centre. If in doubt ring the Hedgehog Preservation Society.

Whatever you can do to would be a huge help and you will be doing Miss Tiggywinkle a big favour as well.

Why not let me know about hedgehogs that use your garden in Whitchurch? Then maybe we can do something to help out our favourite prickly friends.

Paul Lowis – The Green Man