There have been a spate of vehicle break-ins, largely due to vehicles being left unlocked by the owner. The offenders are wandering around and trying the handles to cars. vans etc, and get lucky when a door opens. Don't be a victim it only takes a minute to check you have locked your vehicle.

The weather has always been a major topic of conversation in our country and, as our weather becomes increasingly unpredictable, it is worth remembering this news item.

In 2012, almost as soon as thoughts turned to dealing with serious drought it started to rain and we had floods. As always flooded roads present a serious hazard to drivers. Apart from the risks associated with spray and poor grip there is a risk of damaging your car even with a relatively small depth of water.

Never underestimate the threat that floods can present, travelling through a wide expanse of water, often flowing across your direction of travel can become disorientating. Objects and holes are hidden under the surface and the current in a suprisingly shallow depth of water can soon push a car sideways.

Hedgehogs are hungry and looking for food

The hedgehog’s natural diet mainly consists of slugs, ground beetles, caterpillars and worms.  During cold or dry periods, these creepy-crawlies become much scarcer in gardens, so hedgehogs will benefit hugely from a shallow dish of water and supplementary feeding.  Hedgehogs will relish any combination of meat-based wet dog or cat food, hedgehog food or cat biscuits. But, please no milk or bread as hedgehogs are actually lactose intolerant! More tips here.

Have you heard some strange noises coming from your garden?

In their second year hedgehogs will be looking to breed and engage in something called “the rut”.  Males attempt to woo females in lengthy encounters that involve much circling and rhythmic snorting and puffing. The commotion can attract rival males to the scene and courtship can be interrupted; head-butting and chases are not uncommon.  So, don’t worry if you hear quite the racket coming from the garden, it could be hedgehogs!  More info here.

Are your ‘hogs gathering nesting material?

Hedgehogs need somewhere to nest during the daytime and mothers are looking somewhere to have their hoglets.  You may be wanting to clean out your hedgehog nest after winter/hibernation, but make sure it’s not occupied already, as disturbing a mother and her hoglets can lead to the mum abandoning her young. More advice here.

You can check out brilliant videos of all these behaviours on the Hedgehog Street You Tube channel.  If you have any great videos of hedgehogs behaviour please send them to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Not seeing or hearing any hogs? Make sure your garden is linked up with Hedgehog Highways so that our little friends can move around from garden to garden, to find food or mates.

Thanks for helping hedgehogs!

Photo: Alan Baldry

In Neighbourhood Watch we tend to think about people and property, but our Neighbourhood includes much more than this. Wild animals are our neighbours too and they need our help!

We all recognise a hedgehog but did you know that they are declining in numbers faster than the tiger worldwide?  

If you want to find out how to make a difference take a look at the superb Hedgehog Street web site which is full of advice and ideas to help our hedgehogs.

Create Links between Gardens

Hedgehogs travel around one mile every night through our parks and gardens in their quest to find enough food and a mate. If you have an enclosed garden you might be getting in the way of their plans.

 We now know that one of the main reasons why hedgehogs are declining in Britain is because our fences and walls are becoming more and more secure, reducing the amount of land available to them.

Picture: Pam Lovesay

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Feeding Hedgehogs

Put out food for hedgehogs in the garden and they will eat it.

The hedgehog’s natural diet mainly consists of slugs, ground beetles, caterpillars and worms. During cold or dry periods, these creepy-crawlies become much scarcer in gardens, so hedgehogs will benefit hugely from a shallow dish of water and supplementary feeding.

Picture:  Grahame Ritchie

 

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Hedgehog Homes

The best way to provide a nesting option for hedgehogs is by creating a natural feature, such as a compost heap or log pile, as this has the added benefit of encouraging insect prey too. Artificial hedgehog houses (or hibernacula) are also used by hedgehogs and can be really fun to make.

Picture:  Jo Edwards

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