Hedgehogs

Moved into a house and last year we had at least 2 hedgehogs (maybe more but i only spotted 2 at the same time), this year got ready in advance and put together a... cosy house for them. Saw evidence of them waking up and the house was put in action.

Here are a few pics of the house (which i now reliase is a bit small for them them).

There are at least 2 for sure (glad that both seemed to survive the winter), and bizarrely they do fit in together at the same time. For now I am attracting them with food so its more of a canteen where they nap for an hour or two. Maybe later on one might settle in. But if il get more time before winter, will try to build a home made house instead (to be larger).

Would appreciate any advice around "keeping" hedgehogs, I am new to this so for now just been feeding them and giving them water. The food is brambles semi-wet.

And here are the hedgehogs, testing a different feeder at the moment and the first night they made s complete mess of it and broke it. Gonna put a video of them breaking it later.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/37053999

Hedgehogs are disappearing from many parts of the countryside.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust has reported a significant decline in hedgehog sightings, with numbers down seven per cent compared to the previous year and a 33 per cent drop since 2022.

The decline is believed to be linked to habitat loss caused by building developments.

Lydia German, senior communications officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust, said: "By recording where you have (or even where you haven’t) seen a hedgehog, you can help us to build up a fuller picture of how the population is faring across our region.

I've forgotten her name, but I held this hedgehog at a farm last month.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/36131937

Lords amend planning bill to include protections for wild animals, including bird-safe glass and swift bricks

Simply create a wild patch, record its location online and encourage much-needed natural insect prey and nesting materials for native hedgehogs

This July, gardeners, families and individuals are being urged to create wild patches as part of a new campaign to make more spaces with natural insect food and nesting materials for native hedgehogs.

The new ‘Go WILD for Hedgehogs’ campaign from Hedgehog Street – run by wildlife charities People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) – simply involves leaving a wild, undisturbed patch in a garden and recording its location online. Not only does this create much-needed food and shelter for hedgehogs, but also tells conservationists at PTES and BHPS where hedgehog havens are, and where more are needed.

Photographer: @i_am_not_a_robot@feddit.uk

Seen on a couple of occasions and have been leaving food and water out since. The food has been disappearing so hopefully being eaten by the correct critter.

Look after our prickly friends; They're endangered.