A Visitor

We were very excited recently to have a visitor one day in our garden in the shape of a hedgehog. Hetty, we called her.  Unfortunately,  the day after first sighting her we found her looking not too well on our patio.  This was quite late on a  Friday afternoon but after a few phone calls to various hedgehog sanctuaries we finally found the phone number of a wonderful lady in Brockdish, Mel, who takes in sick and injured hedgehogs. So, with ‘blues and twos’ in operation we made the mercy dash to Brockdish to leave Hetty with Mel who really had her hands full with about 21 other hedgehogs.  Hetty made it through the night but sadly was too ill and died the following day.  Mel gave us the sad news but promised we could have another hedgehog for convalescence when one became well enough to leave her.  

Hetty (RIP)

And so, a week later we took delivery of Horatio who weighed in at an impressive 650g.  I think he must be well over that weight now because although we’ve only seen him a few times since his arrival he tucks in each night to his dinner of cat food, dried meal worms and special hedgehog food, not forgetting a bowl of water. Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals sleeping through the day and foraging for food in the late evening through to morning.  They only come out during the day if there’s a problem so I suppose it’s good news that we don’t see Horatio!

Horatio & Hog Hall

Looking after a hedgehog in your garden:

leave areas of your garden wild if possible

provide hedgehogs with food and water

avoid using slug pellets and other chemicals

make ponds safe

check long grass before mowing

check compost heaps and bonfires

We have been very extravagant and bought a house for Horatio - Hog Hall - but typically they build their nests in sheltered areas - under sheds, in hedgerows, in compost heaps or other similar areas.

If you find a sick hedgehog or would like to re-home one contact needhamlink@gmail.com for Mel’s contact details. 

STOP PRESS:

We now have now received another hedgehog.  We have named her Emma, Lady Hamilton, & are hoping for the patter of tiny feet in the Spring!