First hog I've seen round here in years

[CharlieCreek]

No a cat shouldn't be an issue to a hedgehog at all.

As Marc says hedgehogs don't keep to a rigid routine and could visit at any time during the night.

Also on colder and rainy nights the hog will most likely come out later, we notice this a lot with the hogs waiting for release in the garden. Also if it is a good night for the natural food then the hog may not visit for a top up of left out food.

You may also have a number of hogs visiting throughout the night. We have several release sites where the people look out for hedgehogs visiting to see if any of the released ones come back and some have five or six hedgehogs visiting throughout the night. Some nights the ones we have released there come back some nights they don't or if they do it is in the very early hours.

[~T~]

Thanks guys. I made up a new mix of food last night consisting of blended peanuts, sultanas, raisins, dry cat food(28% protine), dried mealworms and what was left of the wet cat food. Sadly no hog showed as it was still there when I got up at dawn with the starlings just starting to arrive to polish it off. It was a very wet night though. A young fox did appear not too long after I put it out but seemed too wary to fully come into the garden. I might mark the next one I see then. Would a tiny amount of white gloss paint be ok?

[~T~]

Yay I have at least 2 visiting now. Tonight one arrived early (bout 22:30) before I put food out and was busy munching away at my bird ground feeder. I went to get the cam and it had scarpered by the time I got back. Then just there (bout 23:30) through my kitchen window noticed the hog food was all gone so went out to have a look then almost tripped over one on my path and as I stepped back I noticed another curled up on the grass By the time I got my cam again both had again scarpered

I have also construced a hedgehog box and placed it under my row of conifers under some tarp type stuff. I don't think its been used yet though as the blob of peanut butter I put at the entrance still remains.

My only concern now is where I live is not really hog friendly. lots of cats, dogs, foxes and little s**t youths. There is a row of houses in an L shape and 2 areas of bushes and trees then just roads round them with a busy road not far off. Do you think this is enough to support at least 2 hogs?

Below is an aerial view of where I live (my house is the X not the A).

[~T~]

Wee Sonic 2 helping him/herself to the bird food from my ground feeder. Cheeky wee feller always seems to go here first despite the bowls of food laid out Also I notice it doesn't bother with the cat food is this normal? It's poultry flavour though it's in jelly.

[dampflippers]

Don't forget water!

Everyone should put water out, even if you don't think you have any visitors and even if you have a pond.
Front and back garden should have a water supply, and a dish is safer than a pond especially if it doesn't have a nice safe beach.

[~T~]

Originally Posted by dampflippers

Don't forget water!

Everyone should put water out, even if you don't think you have any visitors and even if you have a pond.
Front and back garden should have a water supply, and a dish is safer than a pond especially if it doesn't have a nice safe beach.

Yup there's always a bowl of fresh water out for the birds and hog

[k4t3]

Have got several hogs visiting the garden at the moment, I generally put out 2 plates of cat food and water as soon as it gets dark, the first hog has already gorged and toddled off tonight Last night there were 4 of the little beggars face down in the GoCat The night before, the fox got there before them and had to refill the plates.....My lawns are littered with the hog poo you described, and a neighbour of mine thought she was infested with rats until I told her about the hogs..then she was quite cheered by the fact!
I am getting little sleep watching the nocturnal antics of the garden visitors, which never fails to cheer me up...but the sleep deprivation is getting to me...