The Word’S Out

[sherrardk]

The local hedgehogs must have been gossiping about the good service they receive in our garden. We’ve had a regular visitor since early March but since Friday we’ve had two extra visitors that I’ve actually seen and I think there might be at least five judging from the amount of food that they are eating. So pleased I didn’t waste my money on the hand-made (not by me) feeding station that’s painted with flowers, ladybirds and butterflies and the hedgehog bowls with ‘hedgehog’ written on the side and a picture of a hedgehog on the bottom (in case they can’t read) :)

[tonyav]

Got a proper posse now then, sherr.

[Old_Geezer]

Sounds nice. I'd like such a visitor to clear the slugs & snails, but I've not got any holes in the fence for them to get in. Doubt there's any about locally anyway.

[Tuvok]

I definately have 2 - caught them in the same photo. I think there might be 3.

I have one that has distinct markings - now nicknamed Spot/Spotty.

[Tuvok]

Just checking what you're giving them - no bread or milk.

[rockyracoon]

How lovely. I wish they would come into my garden.

[Tuvok]

https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/about-hedgehogs/tracks-and-signs/

https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/sites/default/files/2018-06/hedgehog%20dropping_Darren%20Tansley%20%285%29.JPG

If you find the above you've got hedgehogs - although it says 5cm, it all depends on the hedgehog!

[sherrardk]

Feeding them dry hedgehog food and leave a bowl of water out for who ever wants it.

The bigger one we usually see at dusk and there’s a slightly smaller one and a youngster.

They seem to be living under the shed of the garden that runs across the bottom of our garden, the fence had come down and where we’ve replaced it we’ve left a gap for them to roam around.

[gness]

So lovely, Sherr......no hedgehogs here.... :-(

[Tuvok]

Give them dog food - not the ones with gravy or fish.

I usually get Earls from Aldi. I discovered that they don't like the Earls Chicken in Jelly - if I put that out for them, and I have another flavour out, they ignore the jelly one - so I leave it for the next night then they eat it. They get their dried food as well - and I get empty dishes in the morning!

[Georgiesmum]

Well done, You are doing a great job Sherr.x

[Mamyalynne]

Love it when a plan comes together - enjoy their company.

[sanmac]

Just leave an ink-well, a supply of writing paper and some blotting-paper for them and they will quill invitations for their friends to drop around.

[Smowball]

Omg how lovely! I would LOVE to see a hedgehog in my garden......

[Tuvok]

Going to treat mine tonight - bought an apple from Asda - they'll probably ignore it!

[ladybirder]

Just wait until they start mating sherr LOL. Huffing, puffing, grunting, round and round in circles, hilarious really, albeit just when you're trying to get to sleep. It's been a long time since I had the privilege of watching them but I've never forgotten. Wonderful. Lovely that you're enjoying them too.

[sherrardk]

I’ve got some spare apples, I’ll try them with one tonight.

[Tuvok]

Only one of the 3 slices I put out were eaten - they were removed from the dish of food!!!!

The one that was eaten was the one I put under the bird table - I think it was a hedgehog that ate it.

I have 2 blackies (Mr & Mrs) who follow me when I check the dishes in the morning - always hoping the hedgehogs have left them something to eat!

[sherrardk]

Just seen our fourth different hedgehog (can tell by the way they walk, their size (measured by how big they are compared to the hole into the feeding station) and colour). None of them interested in the apple slices or their toy (daughter read that they like cat toys with balls in - so we gifted one of the ones the cat got for Christmas).

[Tuvok]

https://streamable.com/loqo0

There's no sound on this - its one of my original trail cameras that doesn't do sound.

[sherrardk]

Saw a fifth, different one last night :)