In Bentley, we’re fortunate to have a local hedgehog population when nationally hedgehogs are in decline.
According to the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report, hedgehog numbers have plummeted by 30% to 75% across rural landscapes since 2000. However, there’s a glimmer of hope in urban areas, as evidenced by a report from People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), suggesting that urban hedgehog populations may be stabilising and even showing signs of recovery.
The decline of hedgehogs in rural settings is attributed to the loss of vital landscape features like field margins and hedgerows. Given that hedgehogs exhibit a preference for village habitats over open farmland, it’s incumbent upon us, as residents of a rural community like Bentley, to take proactive steps to support and safeguard these beloved mammals in our local environment.
So, what can individuals do to protect and nurture hedgehogs in our area? Here are some ideas…
5 Ways to Help Our Hedgehogs
1. Hedgehog Highways
As hedgehogs emerge from hibernation, typically between March and April, they embark on nightly foraging expeditions spanning up to a mile. Our gardens serve as prime hunting grounds, but barriers like fences and walls hinder their movement.
Enter “hedgehog highways” — small gaps or holes strategically placed to facilitate hedgehog passage between gardens. By removing a brick or two from a wall, cutting a hole in a fence, or digging a shallow channel under a barrier, we can create vital pathways for these spiky visitors.
Consider collaborating with neighbours to establish a network of access points, and opt for hedgehog-friendly fencing options when making upgrades.
2. Avoid Slug Pellets
Hedgehogs are natural allies for gardeners, as they feast on garden pests like slugs and snails. Using slug pellets containing metaldehyde poses a threat to hedgehogs, both directly and indirectly, by depleting their food source and potentially causing reproductive issues.
Embrace wildlife-friendly gardening practices to encourage a thriving ecosystem that naturally controls slug populations, preserving hedgehog habitats in the process.
3. Provide Hedgehog-Friendly Food
Log piles, wildflower patches, ponds and overgrown areas, are a great asset in any garden, attracting lots of insects and providing year round food for hedgehogs. Compost heaps, open air ones, are also great for encouraging invertebrates which hedgehogs can then feed on.
While hedgehogs primarily feed on invertebrates, supplementing their diet with wet cat or dog food or specialised hedgehog food can be beneficial, especially during dry or cold spells when insect activity is scarce. Additionally, maintain a freshwater source to keep hedgehogs hydrated, particularly during warmer months.
4. Create Habitat and Shelter
As well as attracting insects, log piles, compost heaps, and overgrown areas also provide nesting and hibernation sites. However, you may also want to provide a hedgehog house or hibernacula for them, especially if you haven’t got suitable natural sites in your garden.
Hedgehog houses should be situated in a quiet, shady, sheltered spot in your garden and you should resist the temptation to disturb them. Just make sure the entrance is kept clear. It’s not really necessary to clean out the box as hedgehogs will replace nesting material themselves but if you do want to clean it out, wait until late March or early April when hedgehogs have woken up from their hibernation. Check carefully that there isn’t a hedgehog in residence before you do.
Learn how to make a hedgehog house here >
5. Drive Carefully
Sadly, many people are only aware that we have hedgehogs in Bentley because they’ve seen them squashed by the side of the road. Hedgehogs are nocturnal so generally come out at dusk and go to bed at dawn. Slowing down and remaining attentive when driving through the village and surrounding areas during these times, can save lives and contribute to the overall wellbeing of our local hedgehog community.
Surprisingly, the sight of a squashed hedgehog by the side of the road can be a positive sign that there’s a healthy population of hedgehogs in the area. While it may seem counterintuitive, roadkill can serve as an indicator of a thriving hedgehog community.
Moreover, recording incidents of roadkill offers a valuable means of monitoring hedgehog populations. Given their nocturnal habits, traditional monitoring methods like camera traps may not capture their presence effectively. Thus, documenting roadkill sightings becomes an essential tool in understanding hedgehog distribution and trends over time.
Organisations like the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) conduct initiatives such as the Mammals on Roads survey, which invites people to report mammal sightings along single-carriageways. This survey, running from July 1st to September 30th, provides crucial data for conservation efforts.
By implementing these simple yet impactful measures, we can help look after Bentley’s hedgehog population for generations to come.
Join our community’s efforts to protect hedgehogs by sharing your initiatives and sightings in our Facebook Group. Let’s look after our spiky friends!