To ask you to please help hedgehogs and other wildlife prepare for winter

[Pricklesinperil]

It is literally a lifeline for them as the weather gets warmer.

if you’d like to know about other ways to help, please go to Help hedgehogs

thank you

Note from MNHQ - please do read the Op's latest update (October 2022) before responding.

Bump

Bumping as the forecast is dry and hot for the next few days.

Thank you @Eckno and @RichardOsmansXraySpecs for bumping this during the week.

has anyone any hedgehog news or questions?

Hedgehog sighted this weekend eating the cat food which has been put out nightly about 10.30 not always being eaten. Joy! Neighbour’s cat also sighted early in the morning eating leftovers, so is that ok? My question is are hedgehogs still around after dawn, or are they genuinely nocturnal? Is the Neighbour’s cat eating something that the hedgehog might have come back for?
Also seeing birds (and probably hedgehog) drinking the water left out- definitely important to keep refilling that. Thanks for the reminders OP.

Came back off holiday late Friday night and woke Saturday around 8am to the beautiful sight of two hedgehogs heading across the patio and under the shed! Judging by the grunting the male had met a lady on a night out and they were heading home to make some babies! The grunting stopped after about fifteen minutes 🤣🤣x

Was a bit worried when I didn't see them Sat/Sunday night and the water was still full but saw one last night munching away at the hog food. This morning the water was 3/4 down. I bring the food in during the day otherwise the greedy starlings and pigeons scoff it 🤬 but put a replenished bowl out around 9.30pm once I've shoo'ed off the fattest laziest pigeon in the world!

These were my two from Saturday morning - sorry it isn't a better picture but I was upstairs and by the time I got down they were 'busy' under the shed😍

The two hogs were back in my garden last night - one was tucking into the food I'd put out and the other one was standing at a distance, obviously wanting to eat, but the first hog wasn't having any of it!
There was some grunting, then the hog who couldn't get to the food gave up and wandered off, poor thing. I'm hoping he came back after the other one had gone

delighted to read your hedgehog news! Thank you for your kindness to hedgehogs @DowningStreetParty

Don’t worry about the cat enjoying the leftovers- if you think the hedgehog is returning in the morning, put out extra food and water if you can.

in answer to your question about hedgehogs being seen in the early morning, here’s the advice that Hedgehog Street gives:

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.

Bit worried about my under the shed hog- haven’t seen him/her since last Saturday morning when there were two of them x still putting food and water out and often the water is empty or partially empty by morning x food is often scattered and has been partially eaten but I’m not sure if it’s the hog or pigeons/blackbirds x any suggestions?

Hi @blobby10 it maybe that your hedgehog has hoglets to care for. Please keep leaving out the fresh water and food and continue to keep a watchful eye out. Here’s the latest from Hedgehog Street:

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.

Plus apologies @blobby10 - somehow I missed your previous posts - the photo is lovely! Let’s hope they have made hoglets and that’s why you haven’t seen so much of them recently. You might be lucky enough to see hoglets! 🦔

@Pricklesinperil Thankyou! I had hoped that would be the case especially after sighting two of them last week ! X they are safe under the shed and i don’t have a tidy garden so there are lots of bugs and things for them to eat as well as the food x is it better to leave out one dish of water in the same place or put two or three around where I think the hedgehog highway is? X

Bless you for caring about them @blobby10. Please go ahead and leave multiple shallow dishes of fresh water where you think their highways are. Fresh water is so vital to all wildlife that it won’t be wasted.

So glad @blobby10 ’s hedgehog could potentially be on baby sitting duties rather than being hit by a car.

Our enormous hog has just been here - that’s a standard tea plate for scale.

Wow Dreikanter - that's a big one! I haven't seen or heard mine for several days now but I'm sleeping in a different room so maybe just haven't heard him/them. They hadn't touched the food last night either but I'm holding onto the hope that it may be a mummy hog under the shed with newborns to deal with .

@Pricklesinperil - do you know if magpies are a particular danger to hoglets? I had one in my garden yesterday for the first time and if there ARE babies under the shed I'm worried that its on the lookout. Beautiful birds but SO big and nasty

That’s a mighty fine hedgehog 🦔 @Dreikanter ! Great photo and I love the tea plate for scale 😀

Hi @blobby10, great question. I’ve scoured the Hedgehog Street website but can’t see any mention of magpies being a particular threat to hedgehogs. If you are concerned, the RSPB gives this advice to deter them Deterring magpies

It was his/her dinner plate (I can report that dinner was hoovered up in no time at all).

Pricklesinperil thanks for checking - I'd had a look on the Hedgehog site but couldn't find anything specific. We had two crows last night who I think chased the magpie off but I am worried for any babies.

However after not seeing him/her all week, last night at 2am I was woken by the sound of crunching and the bowl of food moving against the patio so I assume the hog is OK! Water bowl was empty this morning so it was either knocked over or hogs are very thirsty!!!

😀@Dreikanter - good to know that your hedgehog has a very good appetite!

Bless you for being worried for the hoglets @blobby10. I’m so pleased to read that you think you’ve heard your hedgehog(s) again :)

Bumping as it’s been so hot and dry today

Found this on one of your links OP - sharing for everyone as summer holidays are near. All the resources are FREE

Hedgehog activities for children