Hedgehog activity

[snake]

I came across this little fella this morning, he was snuffling about at the edge of the field close to the barns and seemed to be finding plenty to eat.
This is the second one I have seen this week, the first one looked to be only half the size of this guy.
Is this a bit early in the year to see them?

[aeshna5]

It looks pretty healthy to me. It has turned milder in recent days too.

[Malx]

In a normal year March is the right sort of time to see them emerging, though after the hard winter they're all a bit behind-times. Certainly some WAB members have seen a few already.
Your gorgeous creature there looks in fine fettle. Looks quite young, perhaps about a year old or less?

Rather odd it was out in (what appears to be) broad daylight. Was it near the twilight hours when you saw it, do you know?

I assume it wasn't wobbling or disorientated?

If it makes a habit of coming out in daylight this may mean it's hibernated alone, has JUST come out, AND is totally blind; the latter characteristic is not all that unusual for hedgies. I doubt it'll have a long life if it makes a habit of daylight hunting though...

May be worth re-tracing your route again frequently over the next few weeks to see if it's still being odd. Hedgies are worth it!!

[dave midi]

What a lovely little chap!
I haven't seen a hedghog for years. I guess they must be around here somewhere, but I have no idea where.

Is there anything that typically attracts them to a garden?

[posie]

The hedgehogs that hibernated in our hay-barn have been out a few days, all OK and eating well.....Posie.

[ooragnak]

Originally Posted by Malx

In a normal year March is the right sort of time to see them emerging, though after the hard winter they're all a bit behind-times. Certainly some WAB members have seen a few already.
Your gorgeous creature there looks in fine fettle. Looks quite young, perhaps about a year old or less?

Rather odd it was out in (what appears to be) broad daylight. Was it near the twilight hours when you saw it, do you know?

I assume it wasn't wobbling or disorientated?

If it makes a habit of coming out in daylight this may mean it's hibernated alone, has JUST come out, AND is totally blind; the latter characteristic is not all that unusual for hedgies. I doubt it'll have a long life if it makes a habit of daylight hunting though...

May be worth re-tracing your route again frequently over the next few weeks to see if it's still being odd. Hedgies are worth it!!

Hi guys,

I havn't seen any hedgehogs yet but they are leaving poo in my garden so i guess they are about again

[susan52]

i have two(albert and brian ) housed in hutches in the garage that i found in the garden two weeks ago, well underweight and one had a tick. they are eating and pooing well and once the weather turns warmer they will be released back into the wild . there are several hedgehog houses in the garden, im not sure if there are any residents but theres been someone in the feeding stations who im not sure but the meal worms are going

[Malx]

Originally Posted by dave midi

Is there anything that typically attracts them to a garden?

This gets asked a lot, Dave M, and until we (annoying) hedgie-fascists on WAB can take over the world, I think the best suggestion is to check out the website of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which does exactly what it says on the tin!
Here's their Homepage British Hedgehog Preservation Society BHPS . It's quite a big site, and you may find "BHPS Leaflets & FAQs" the most useful link.

In simple terms, if a hedgie can get access to your garden, all it needs then is the f-word. (Food!)