Hedgehog nest in border?
Dear all,
I was doing some clearing and noticed a mound of dried leaves in the middle of a perennial border. Was a bit strange at first....but without thinking, as I started to clear, I noticed a hedgie’s leg. So quickly covered it all up. Can folks please let me know, what I should or should not be doing. Is this a nest or just some sort of a a chill out zone? Have never seen a hedgehog before in the wild/native habitat, so have no idea of their behavior or habits. Also is a perennial border not a bad place to build a nest given its going to come down in winter? For starters, I’ve decided not to cut anything or clear away stuff within 2-3meter of this guy/girl until come spring..... thanks!
I was doing some clearing and noticed a mound of dried leaves in the middle of a perennial border. Was a bit strange at first....but without thinking, as I started to clear, I noticed a hedgie’s leg. So quickly covered it all up. Can folks please let me know, what I should or should not be doing. Is this a nest or just some sort of a a chill out zone? Have never seen a hedgehog before in the wild/native habitat, so have no idea of their behavior or habits. Also is a perennial border not a bad place to build a nest given its going to come down in winter? For starters, I’ve decided not to cut anything or clear away stuff within 2-3meter of this guy/girl until come spring..... thanks!
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I think you should simply leave ‘your’ hedgehog to get on with it ... but if you don’t already it would be a good idea to make a feeding station so that when he/she wakes during mild spells in the winter he can tuck in and keep his weight up, which is the important thing for them to survive the winter.
You can can find out lots of stuff about helping our endangered hedgehogs on the Hedgehog Street website.
Good luck to you you and your hedgehog
I've spent ages making a 5 star hotel for the ones that arrived in my garden in summer. The b*ggers have ignored it and have possibly found another hidey hole for the winter. Ungrateful s*ds!
I bought a wildlife camera recently, so I'm hoping they'll return and I might get some footage next year. Lovely to have had them visiting though.
I have got some dog biscuits and cat food. Will be cutting a hole in a wooden crate you get from wine shops and leave it close to him for the feeding station, using a pot saucer as his plate..It’s big enough that he can move there. We’ve also got a leilandi hedge and he can move there if he wants to. Afraid I may distress him by moving etc. If at all, I may make a meter long roof from poly carbonate lying around nailed to half stakes and shift the whole structure over where he lives. The ground is soft enough that I can stably push this in without causing a racquet. Will keep you all posted. Thanks.