“ What’s Happening to our Hedgehogs?”
Have hedgehogs always been popular, or is it only Mrs Tiggy-Winkle which made them so? Whatever the answer, those of us who heard Dr Lucy Bearman-Brown’s talk (arranged by Green Fifield) were left in no doubt as to the severe decline in their numbers and the urgent need to do something to help.
We heard about the different types of hedgehog in different parts of the world, their behaviour, habitat, diet and much more besides.
On the practical side we were reminded that hedgehogs do quite a bit of traveling in their forage for food, so Hedgehog Highways are a good idea. A small hole, the size of a CD, in a hedge or fence is quite enough for them to move around from one garden to another. As for somewhere to live, piles of leaves or dry straw provide suitable homes though Lucy showed us man-made options and gave us some tips about their diet. They only eat food we put out for them if insects and worms are in short supply, when they will enjoy meat-based dog or cat food, cat biscuits or hedgehog food.
As Lucy explained, it is difficult to provide exact figures relating to hedgehog population so we are asked to give some feedback if we see them around. On a map of this part of the country, showing recordings of sightings, Fifield would seem to have none! We know that’s not the case so we are asked to report our sightings to create a better picture of the hedgehog population in the UK. To do this, send your information to www.hedgehogstreet.org.uk
Finally if you find an injured hedgehog then ring 01584 890801 for advice, or ty Stow Vets.Thank you, Lucy, for a most informative talk and some timely reminders.
Pat Yaxley
Other useful sites:
The People’s Trust for Endangered Species;
British Hedgehog Preservation Society
The Woodland Trust
