Protecting Hedgehogs in Chorley

All About Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are native to Britain and can be found nationwide, commonly residing across urban habitats, and found within parks, gardens, cemeteries, fields and hedgerows. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, and hibernate between October and April, often nesting near log piles, under garden sheds, or within compost heaps.

Hedgehogs are faced by many threats, and in recent years have had a rapid decline.

 

image of hedgehog

What do I feed to a hedgehog?

If you’re going to leave food for hedgehogs in your garden, it is recommended to use a feeding station to prevent the food being eaten by other garden visitors, like your neighbour’s cat! Hedgehogs will need a shallow bowl of water, and love to eat food like ready-made hedgehog food, tinned dog or cat food, and crushed dog biscuits. It’s also important to regularly clean food bowls with hot soapy water, to prevent the spread of disease from one hedgehog to another.

Threats to Hedgehogs:

  • Road traffic - One of the biggest threats to hedgehogs is road traffic, when they attempt to cross busy roads to access alternate habitats and food sources

  • Garden chemicals - such as insecticides and slug repellent decrease food availability for hedgehogs, and can cause harm when consumed in large quantities

  • Habitat loss – excessive mowing, clearing of vegetation, paving or decking gardens, and removal of hedges or woodland by farmers reduces habitat for hedgehogs

  • Habitat fragmentation - Fences and barriers that are impermeable prevent hedgehogs from reaching vital habitat and food sources.

  • Drowning - Steep edged garden ponds often cause hedgehogs to drown as they cannot climb out due to the smooth sides

  • Litter - It can injure, harm or kill hedgehogs when it is mistaken for food, or can cause trapping and entanglement

  • Bonfires - Woodpiles provide excellent shelter for hedgehogs but often put them at risk when they aren’t checked before lighting a bonfire

  • Gardening machinery – Long grass should be checked before using a strimmer or a mower, as hedgehogs can be seriously injured or killed by gardeners using these tools

  • Drains, cattle grids and gullies – Spaces should be covered, as hedgehogs and other wildlife can fall in and become trapped with no way of escaping, leading to starvation

What Can You Do?

There are many small actions and lifestyle changes which can have a big impact on helping hedgehogs to survive within our local community. Here are a few things you can do to make your mark for hedgehogs in Chorley!

  • stop using pesticides and insecticides in your garden. Consider companion planting, encouraging natural predators, using physical barriers, or rotating plant location, etc.
  • limit mowing and clearing of green spaces and gardens to promote dense hedges. Limit scrub clearance to allow hedgehogs to establish habitats during hibernation season.
  • create hedgehog highways in your garden to enable hedgehogs to migrate between different areas, to reach new habitats and food sources.
  • install exit ramps at the edge of ponds to help hedgehogs escape, such as a strip of wire netting fixed to the side, or a pile of stones at the edge.
  • put your litter in the bin and carry out regular litter picks to remove harmful debris from hedgehog habitats.
  • check log and leaf piles for the presence of wildlife before lighting a bonfire.
  • carry out wildlife checks within piles of dense vegetation, dead leaves and wood before performing ground clearance or maintenance with tools.
  • provide a ramped escape from steep sided features such as cattle grids, gullies and ditches, and install or replace broken drain covers.
  • leave out food and water for hedgehogs, to support them in more urban areas or during hot and dry weather when food sources may be scarce. Hedgehogs love to eat hedgehog food, tinned cat/dog food or crushed dog biscuits, and to drink water.

Good to know!

If you find a hedgehog in your garden during the day…

Hedgehogs are generally nocturnal and active during at night. If you see a hedgehog during the day, this could mean their nest has been disturbed or that they are struggling to find food. However, it is most common to see a hedgehog active during the day when they are sick or injured.

You find a baby hedgehog alone…

Hoglets are generally born during May and June. If you find a hoglet alone, it is best to leave them as their parent is probably close by. Watch from a safe distance, and only intervene if they are: In immediate danger, squeaking with eyes shut in the open, during the day without an adult nearby, beside a dead adult, out during the day when it’s very cold, injured or surrounded by flies.

If you find a sick or injured hedgehog…

How can you tell a hedgehog is sick?Look for signs – do they have an injury (like a cut or broken leg), are they not interested in the food that you've put out, are they are staggering, wobbly or walking around in circles, does it have many flies, maggots, eggs or ticks on it, if it doesn’t roll up or try to when you try to touch it.

If it's safe to do so, wearing thick gloves or using a folded towel, gently pick it up. Place it into a secure high-sided cardboard box, lined with a towel and take the hedgehog to a vet.

If you can’t do this immediately keep the hedgehog somewhere warm and quiet indoors, and offer them a small amount of suitable food and water.