Page 47 - Real Rochdale Issue 15 Autumn 2022

TURN YOUR GARDEN INTO

A HEDGEHOG HAVEN

Hedgehogs are a quintessential part of British Hedgehog Street hedgehog officer Grace
wildlife, but are a species in critical decline. Johnson said: “Hedgehogs are a much-loved
The spiky mammal was listed as ‘vulnerable to native species, and helping them, particularly in
extinction’ on the Red List for Britain’s urban areas, is easy and affordable.
Mammals 2020, whilst a report released earlier
this year revealed their population has “We want to encourage people to get
continued to decline since 2000. creative – think about front and back gardens,
as a street with five houses on could be part of a
The reasons for the decline are complex, but two 20-garden ‘Hedgehog Street’. Tunnels could join
of the main pressures hedgehogs face in both gardens, or ramps can be placed between
rural and urban areas are lack of suitable habitat gardens on different levels.
and habitat fragmentation.
Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to “We know gardens can be havens for hedgehogs,
help this garden favourite. but only if they’re connected to let hedgehogs in
and out.”
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and
People’s Trust for Endangered Species, who For top tips on how to help hedgehogs visit
together run nationwide campaign Hedgehog www.hedgehogstreet.org
Street, are urging people to connect as many
gardens in their area as possible. What else you can do
Photo: Howard Wilkinson
This will allow local hedgehogs to roam between Leave areas of your garden wild: piles of leaves,
them in search of food, mates and nesting logs or compost all make attractive nests for
materials – a small action vital for the species’ hedgehogs and the invertebrates they like to eat good quality, meaty hedgehog food from wildlife
long-term survival. (beetles, caterpillars, worms, etc.) food suppliers. What to do if you disturb a hedgehog

The idea is simple: connect as many gardens as Leave out foods like tinned dog or cat food and Never feed hedgehogs milk or bread - milk can If the hedgehog is hibernating, gently put it
possible via ‘Hedgehog Highways’ (a 13cm or crushed cat or dog biscuits. If the hedgehog is cause diarrhoea and bread isn’t very nutritious. back into its nest, re-cover it with the nest
CD case sized square gap under garden fences very young - roughly apple-sized - you’ll need to material and leave it alone. If this isn’t
or walls). soak the biscuits in water first. You can also get Always remove any uneaten food each day, and possible - for example, because the nesting
clean the dishes using hot, soapy water to site has already been destroyed - then place
reduce the risk of spreading disease. the hedgehog in a part of the garden where
it will be safe and sheltered, with as much of
Cover any holes: hedgehogs can easily fall into the original nest as possible.
uncovered drains or holes.
If there’s not much natural shelter available,
If you have a pond, place bricks or stones at the you could use a large box instead, but make
edge, or create a slope so they can climb out. sure the hedgehog will be able to get out of
the box easily when it next wakes up.
Avoid slug pellets and pesticides as these can
poison hedgehogs. If the hedgehog isn’t hibernating and has
young hoglets, re-cover them with the

Always disturb bonfires before lighting as nesting material and leave them alone. If this
hedgehogs or other wildlife could be nesting or isn’t possible, please contact the RSPCA for

Photo: Phillip Horwood Photo: Tony and Pam Francis hiding inside. more advice.

REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2022 46 47 REAL ROCHDALE - AUTUMN 2022