How to create a hedgehog haven
WILDLIFE
Over the last decade it’s estimated we’ve lost a third of our hedgehog population. The exact causes are unknown, but suggested reasons include habitat loss and reduced food supply. Thankfully anyone who owns a garden can supply like to help your local hedgehogs here are a few simple to follow tips.
A safe food source:
A hedgehog’s main food sources include worms, slugs, snails and ground dwelling beetles. Unfortunately many of these are seen as the gardener’s enemy and a continual chemical war is waged against them. These chemicals can cause problems for hedgehogs. So try other methods of keeping the ‘enemy’ at bay, for example introducing ladybird and lacewings. A great source for chemical free pest control products can be found at:
www.greengardener.co.uk
create a log pile. As the logs slowly break down a host of insects will move in, providing a valuable food source. During extreme weather food can become scarce, so offer additional food. Suitable foods include: specially formulated hedgehog food, tinned cat or dog food (avoid fish flavours) or make dried mealworms, sultanas and sunflower hearts. To stop a paving slab on some bricks, leaving a gap between two of the bricks as an entrance.
A safe water source:
Although hedgehogs can swim, a pond with steep sides is a death trap. So add an escape ramp or slightly redesign to add water feature, or just leave out a fresh bowl of water each night.
Shelter:
hanging bushes and weave through long grass. So add plants that provide this cover rather than a garden that is simply decking and plants in pots. You could also provide a purpose built hedgehog home. There are a number on
Autumn hoglet
website:
www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk These should be placed somewhere sheltered and quiet. You never know, a hedgehog may hibernate in there or during the breeding season it may become a nursery for a litter of hoglets and their mother.
Once you have created a hedgehog haven you will also have to think about the way you care for your garden. So precautions you should take include:
unable to, get into the habit of checking first thing every morning to ensure prickles have not become entangled.
do not move in or become trapped.
slugs and dispose of safely.
If you would like to support your local hedgehogs:
champion – you can also encourage your neighbours to become involved.
Society.
hedgehog rehabilitator. A database can be found on the
16 Country Gardener
Lynne Garner is a writer who has run a hedgehog rescue centre from her back garden for 20 years. She explains how to encourage hedgehogs into your garden
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48