Spinning Hedgehogs!

Marcia · #81 (**permalink**) 16-03-2010, 09:17 AM

Hi Schmoo,

Lovely to hear that Piddle and Poop have been hibernating peacefuly through the winter. It's still early for the hedgehogs to be up and about, some of them hibernate until well in April, so let them be. As Malx said, best to let them decide when they are ready.

Marcia.

Malx · #82 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 09:09 PM

Just to recap, Schmoo, here's a superb article online by an amazingly wise person called Natasha Harper. [That's all I know about her, but it's enough for me!] Wildlifeonline - Caring for Hedgehogs
If you scroll down to almost precisely halfway, you'll see a paragraph entitled "Hibernation During Over-wintering". Certainly this particular (wonderful) guru suggests that when a hedgie goes into hibernation, the "Do Not Disturb" sign is on the door-handle, and it must be obeyed!

Now you've read that paragraph, start at the top and read the rest. It's all extremely informative!

Marcia · #83 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 10:21 PM

You know Natasha Harper, Malx. And she knows you too!

(but I won't reveal. and I agree, she's amazingly wise)

Malx · #84 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcia

You know Natasha Harper, Malx. And she knows you too!

(but I won't reveal. and I agree, she's amazingly wise)

Uhh?

D'uh?

If it's not you, Pattie May, Hedgehoggy or Kay Bullen under another name, then I'm struggling... [I don't see Valley Forge as a "Natasha"...]

Where is Hedgehoggy this year, by the way? Hibernation is SO last week!

pattie may · #85 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 09:48 AM

Not me either.

No hedgehog movement in my garden yet. Hedgehog box has been empty all winter.

Hope I get visitors soon.

Marcia · #86 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 12:35 PM

Hi Malx, Hi Schmoo.
Hi Pattie May, nice to see you again!

Where's ValleyForge too, by the way?

Any more hedgehogs lovers around? Say hi!

Marcia

Jim Ford · #87 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 02:20 PM

We live on a mature estate, backing onto very large parkland, which itself merges into extensive woodland. I can walk out of the front door and walk all day without encountering an urban environment. So it's ideal hedgehog country.

We used to get hedgehogs in the garden, and in the Autumn see at least one crushed on the road every morning. I now haven't seen a non-captive hedgehog for around ten or more years. It would appear that in this corner of Hertfordshire they are near or actually extinct.

We also have several ponds in our untidy garden, that always had frogs and newts. I now haven't seen a frog or newt for about five years.

Our environment is being progressively impoverished, and each generation's expectations are being driven downwards. I can see a future where a dandelion plant will have a cage around it for protection, because of its rarity!

Jim

Malx · #88 (**permalink**) 24-03-2010, 08:41 PM

Hi Jim,
Try not to give up. Nature is resilient, if nothing else.

I became a hedgehog addict last summer, and gave up hope when "my" hedgie vanished abruptly. But things are happening again (happily) - I'll go into details when I have all the information.

Suffice to say, there's always the chance of activity, even if not right now. If an environment has not changed dramatically from when there WERE hedgehogs, chances are there will be some again, some year or other.
Years can vary a lot for a species - for beetles, caterpillars, worms, slugs, hedgehogs... whatever species.
If needs be, perhaps you might adopt young hedgehogs from somewhere where they've been rescued, and release them near you in the future.

I'm convinced that if:
a) Hedgehogs learnt the Highway Code and
b) all Brits learnt how fab hedgehogs are, then the world would be a far, far better place!

Live in hope, dear friend!

P.S. For what it's worth, I've seen more frogs and toads this week than any other in my 4 - 5 decades....

Malx · #89 (**permalink**) 25-03-2010, 01:03 AM

Hi Pattie May! Sorry, I was rude not to wave Hello!!

Hope you get guests very soon.

Schmoo · #90 (**permalink**) 29-03-2010, 05:48 PM

Hi All

Piddle and Poop have finally woken up!

They have been eating and drinking for a couple of days now. I think one was a little earlier than the other but I will weigh them very soon and let you know how they are doing. Their timing is not great considering the cold weather we are forcast but they are still in their heated greenhouse so should be fine

Anywho,I will keep you all posted.

Spring is certainly springing!