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Hedgehog friendly Release gardens

 

Check list

must have had a hedgehog visit the site within the last 12 months or very close by

shrubs and bushes for the hedgehog to nest under

herbaceous borders and / or undisturbed meadow grass areas for it to forage through

water features (if present) i.e. ponds, ditches must have gentle slopes for the hedgehog to escape from the water. or exit ramps (that the hedgehog can't swim under and miss) or secure stones and rocks around the edge that rise to the surface of the water.  (water levels change over the seasons and it is imperative that the hedgehog can climb out of the water - a hedgehog can not raise its front legs above the water to climb out when swimming so will swim around the edge of the pool until it becomes exhausted and drowns.

cattle grids (if present) need to have full sided ramps or secure stones in each section to allow the hedgehog to clamber up and exit the pit

away from main roads

not on a regular badger run

dogs (if present) must be hedgehog friendly (but judge this for yourself - terriers, Jack Russels, Staffies frequently bite hedgehogs or kill them

no slug pellets or rat/mouse poison used  (hedgehogs feed on slugs that have just ingested slug pellets.  Dead rats and mice are eaten by hedgehogs and take in the poison themselves.

garden pesticides not used and lawn dressings avoided

creosote not used or non-animal friendly preservative

bonfires moved before setting fire to or freshly made just before lighting

no major building work about to take place or garden clearing / make over planned in the near future

 

 

If you know of an area that matches the above please contact Linda on 07585230527 giving the date of the sighting and the exact location

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