Great that you have such lovely visitors A,blueeyes I had a little family take up residence a month or so ago. They were out during the day - because the ground was so dry here [highly unusual] and they were struggling. Mum was eating loads, and they've now moved on a bit and only visit occasionally, now that the weather is wet and the ground is easily accessed for their usual diet. Mum having her tea one evening One of the youngsters having a dead bee
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If Ally lives in an urban/suburban area (or even large tracts of the ‘countryside’) their natural habitat has surely been long compromised by human development, and thus their natural behaviour has had to change, like foxes, pigeons etc? Go with the Go Cat Ally, and enjoy your prickly visitors! The only hog visitors I get are marauding wild boar rootling up my orchard. Destructive as they can be, its still a huge thrill to catch a family with stripy babies on the camera trap.
Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
It won’t alter their behaviour apart from helping them bulk up for winter and essentially survive. The ground is incredibly dry, worms are hard to come by as well as other insects. They are also severely dehydrated like much of our wildlife now.
Thanks to everyone for all your responses. I do agree Mark - I think until the wildlife experts tell me differently, I’ll feed them, hopefully see them often and enjoy their company .... whilst keeping a distance of course.... in the hope I’ll be doing my little bit to help them.
Hopefully, they’ll become regular visitors. I will report back. Thanks again one and all.
Last night I saw my first hedgehog since March (5 months).I thought they had abandoned me after 10 years.I was ecstatic this morning when I checked the trail cam!!! He looks nice and large and healthy too. I used to feed with Go-Cat (Liver variety) but mine seem to prefer 'Mr Johnsons Hedgehog Food' (dry). With the absence of the hogs I have been chucking dried mealworms around late at night.The birds eat any left in the morning. I have a feeding station but next doors cat is something of a Houdini and can navigate all the obstacles,hairpin bends,bricks and tunnels that I have tried and gets to the food before the hogs!
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
Great news @madpenguin ! Now you have confirmed the hoggy presence, please don't leave the mealworms out overnight. Not good for our spikey friends. It's lovely when you see them after so long.
Great news @madpenguin ! Now you have confirmed the hoggy presence, please don't leave the mealworms out overnight. Not good for our spikey friends. It's lovely when you see them after so long.
I do know about the mealworms but I have only been using them to attract the hogs back as anything else seems to be eaten by cats first.Now that I have a hog back I have put out the right sort of food (Mr. Johnsons Hedgehog Food). I have a small tunnel leading from the front to back garden under the fence and it could be a little difficult to find so I put a few mealworms at each end to encourage them through. A few mealworms won't do any harm occasionally,I scatter them around quite broadly over the lawn and back garden and I expect the birds get most of them!!
...and not forgetting fresh water as well!
“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
Hi a little concerned as I have been feeding mum and babies mealworms.... As the local cat takes even the hedgehog food (have tried wild things hedgehog food and spikes dinner) I have tried placing cat food or the hedgehog food in cages and boxes I have designed for them but they will not go in! Am I doing them serious harm? They come every evening where we can sit and watch them from the comfort of our couch and even mixing in the worms with the food doesn't deter this awful cat or interest the family...The picture above shows them ignoring the HH food which 10 minutes later the pesky cat came back who is extremely persistent and polished it off. The family actually sit eating and drinking whilst the cat eats weird combination
Posts
I had a little family take up residence a month or so ago. They were out during the day - because the ground was so dry here [highly unusual] and they were struggling. Mum was eating loads, and they've now moved on a bit and only visit occasionally, now that the weather is wet and the ground is easily accessed for their usual diet.
Mum having her tea one evening
One of the youngsters having a dead bee
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Gardeners have the ability to make a difference.
Hopefully, they’ll become regular visitors. I will report back. Thanks again one and all.
I used to feed with Go-Cat (Liver variety) but mine seem to prefer 'Mr Johnsons Hedgehog Food' (dry).
With the absence of the hogs I have been chucking dried mealworms around late at night.The birds eat any left in the morning.
I have a feeding station but next doors cat is something of a Houdini and can navigate all the obstacles,hairpin bends,bricks and tunnels that I have tried and gets to the food before the hogs!
I have a small tunnel leading from the front to back garden under the fence and it could be a little difficult to find so I put a few mealworms at each end to encourage them through.
A few mealworms won't do any harm occasionally,I scatter them around quite broadly over the lawn and back garden and I expect the birds get most of them!!
...and not forgetting fresh water as well!