Hi all. Just found (and joined) this site while doing some research on hedgehogs - we (me - Dena and other half Mark) are building a shed in our garden and we wanted to make it as wildlife friendly as possible as we are big fans of all animals and love seeing them wild and free (we are veggies too).
So far this year I have seen 2 toads, 2 frogs and a newt in our 3 very small ponds (a bucket, a plastic container, and a washing up bowl covered by wood and stone - this is where most of them like to keep warm!). I was very excited about the newt though - first time for me. I haven't seen either of the two hedgehogs that were around last year though, which has worried me a little. One of these we took in for a few evenings to warm up - as we had a sudden cold spell and we found it outside the door not moving much, we got some advice from a local hedgehog charity first , and it seemed to do the trick as he/she certainly let us know when it was ready to go back outside (it scared our cats a little though). Lots of grasshoppers around in our garden this year, and a huge amount of spiders making their wonderful pretty webs all around the garden.
Anyway - sorry for waffling, was just introducing myself really. I'm 38 and have always loved wildlife, much to my parents delight - coming in covered in snails from head to toe (aged 12), collecting caterpillars, frogs and worms (I once made a 'pretend' worm pie). I try not to handle any wildlife now, just loving watching what they do in their own little world. I do save a few though, I even move the slugs and snails out of the sun (usually back with some nearby plants) if I have just moved something - it's their home and its me that has to adjust my planting habits lol. So, hopefully you get an idea on what a softie I am when it comes to nature.
It will probably take a while to wade through all the posts, but I am sure I will get there eventually. So hello to all.
