People discovered how to help hedgehogs thrive at a recent talk by the Melbreak Hedgehog Recovery Project.
Tanya St Pierre, of the project, spoke about Homes and Highways for Hedgehogs at Yew Tree Hall, Lorton.
The second in a series of hedgehog events, it followed a hedgehog feeding station workshop.
The feeding stations are now being placed in gardens overnight, with water and kitten kibble for nutritional support and removed during the day.
Wildlife camera footage shows they are being used regularly by local hedgehogs, while also collecting valuable information about hedgehog populations.
Tanya said: “Hedgehogs are an endangered species, so recovery is vital and we need to do all we can to support these creatures. Hedgehogs can travel up to two kilometres a night.”
She added it was important to leave 13cm square gaps in garden fences, creating highways for hedgehogs and linking safe hedgehog habitats.
It is estimated that there are less than a million hedgehogs left in the UK, compared with 30 million in the 1950s.
Some of the reasons for the decline include loss of habitat through lack of hedgerows, field margins and urban development. New roads, fences and walls can cut off and isolate hedgehog populations, preventing breeding opportunity and while a lack of wild areas reduces food sources, the use of pesticides and slug pellets can not only poison hedgehogs, but also kill the bugs and beetles on which they depend for food. With more cars on the road, road-kill is now also a huge problem.
Tanya brought along a hedgehog nest box and advised on the best places to locate and safely position it – well camouflaged, perhaps under a pile of twigs at the edge of a garden, or tucked in alongside a hedge.
She added: “Providing hedgehog homes, of an approved design and strategically placed, is a great way to support hedgehogs, not only for hibernation over the winter months, but also as a safe haven from predators for both adult hedgehogs and young hoglets.
“Melbreak Hedgehog Recovery Group is aiming to expand the provision of hedgehog nesting boxes in the area, encourage hedgehog friendly gardening and create even more hedgehog highways. Hedgehogs need our help!”
To learn more about helping hedgehogs, or to be involved in the Melbreak Hedgehog Recovery Project, contact Tanya via [email protected]
The group’s next event, Hedgehog Fostering and Overwintering, will take place on Wednesday September 24 from 7.30pm to 9pm at Loweswater Village Hall. Suggested donation £3. All welcome.
