Mammal Society Hedgehog Survey Pilot

Blackdogjnr · #1 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 02:37 PM

The Mammal Society are looking for volunteers to help with a smallish scale hedgehog survey with a view to rolling this out nationwide at a later date.

I've registered and just recieved my pack, if you're interested email enquiries@mammal.org.uk and find out how you can get involved.

I found out about this via a letter in the latest BBC Wildlife magazine.

BDJ

Hedgehoggy · #2 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 06:29 PM

Thanks for that tip off, Bdj, I'll email them too

Jim Ford · #3 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 06:38 PM

It'd be an easy survey for me - I've not seen one, dead or alive, for several years and don't expect to see any this year! This is in spite of living in a quiet residential area backing onto a very large park with extensive woodland.

Jim

alisonclair · #4 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 06:58 PM

I've e-mailed them too. I love crawling on my hands and knees in bushes in the middle of the night, with my torch and gloves!

alisonclair · #5 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:09 PM

Jim

That's really sad that you never see hedgehogs. Do you ever see "signs" of them at all?

mbaldw · #6 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:19 PM

To add some more detail to BDJ's post, the original letter was from Michael Woods (Mammal Soc. Chairman) and in it he says:

"Volunteer surveyors do not need any training, but must be able to recognise a hedgehog. You will have to commit to going out at dusk for about an hour on one day a month from May to September 2009 inclusive, and you will have to walk about 2km."

The national survey is due to begin next year.

Cheers,
Marc.

Jim Ford · #7 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisonclair

Jim
That's really sad that you never see hedgehogs. Do you ever see "signs" of them at all?

No, don't even see signs of them now. We used to get loads around here.

I've mentioned on another hedgehog thread that I believe that they've undergone a really catastophic decline recently.

Jim

alisonclair · #8 (**permalink**) 23-04-2009, 07:28 PM

Hi Jim

I know they are in decline which is why I am renowned for nursing poorly ones back to health and releasing them. I am known as the 'Hedgehog Lady' in my village!! It is so sad that you don't get to see them down your way, I really do find them delightful. Here's hoping their population recovers.

Alison

Blackdogjnr · #9 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alisonclair

Hi Jim

I know they are in decline which is why I am renowned for nursing poorly ones back to health and releasing them. I am known as the 'Hedgehog Lady' in my village!! It is so sad that you don't get to see them down your way, I really do find them delightful. Here's hoping their population recovers.

Alison

I actually think that is the key Alison... spreading awareness in local areas.
I am looking to get articles in the village newsletter and get posters up on noticeboards just reminding people of the hedgehog facts and some of the potential hazards.

I am determined to get the locals to undertand how lucky we are to have a hedgehog population in our area.

If each one of us gets someone interested who otherwise wouldn't have given hedgehogs a single thought beforehand, then this is how the word will spread and hopefully we can save them.

alisonclair · #10 (**permalink**) 24-04-2009, 08:25 AM

I agree totally. I have actually just put up a poster on our village noticeboard, and it will be going in the village newsletter this month. I plan to do a slightly different one every couple of months, highlighting the different dangers faced by hedgehogs at that particular time.

Can I put a word document in a post??