Help Hedgehogs in Walkern

When did you last see a hedgehog? Chances are, not recently.

Hedgehog numbers are declining rapidly, with the UK losing around a third of its population in the last decade alone. While hedgehogs are often associated with the countryside, they can thrive in our villages, towns and gardens when given the right conditions.

Unfortunately, the loss of natural habitats, increasing use of pesticides and fertilisers, disappearing green spaces, and busy roads have made life much harder for our prickly neighbours. The good news is that there are several simple things we can all do to help.

Create a Hedgehog-Friendly Garden

Hedgehogs need safe places to shelter, nest and hibernate. You can help by leaving areas of your garden a little wild and providing hiding places such as:

• Log piles
• Compost heaps
• Leaf piles

Wildflower patches and ponds can also provide valuable food and water sources. If you’re handy with DIY, consider building a hedgehog house.

Build a Hedgehog Highway

Hedgehogs don’t stay in a single garden. Their territory can cover several gardens across a neighbourhood.

By creating a small 13cm x 13cm hole in your fence or gate, you can help connect gardens and create a “hedgehog highway”. Better still, encourage your neighbours to do the same and create a hedgehog-friendly network throughout the village.

Find out how to create a hedgehog highway

Leave Out Food and Water

Natural food sources are becoming scarcer, particularly before hibernation when hedgehogs need to build up their weight.

You can help by putting out:

• Meat-based wet cat or dog food
• Specially formulated hedgehog food
• A shallow dish of fresh water

Place food out around sunset when hedgehogs are most active.

Avoid Pesticides and Slug Pellets

Slug pellets and pesticides can be harmful to hedgehogs, either directly or by reducing the insects and invertebrates they rely on for food.

Where possible, choose wildlife-friendly alternatives or let nature do the work. Hedgehogs are surprisingly effective slug controllers!

Check Bonfires Before Lighting

Bonfire season can be particularly dangerous for hedgehogs. Wood and leaf piles are attractive places to nest and shelter.

Before lighting any bonfire, carefully check for wildlife and, if possible, move the pile shortly before lighting rather than building it weeks in advance.

Every Garden Can Help

A single wildlife-friendly garden is valuable, but a connected network of gardens across Walkern can make a real difference. With a few small changes, we can help ensure hedgehogs remain a familiar sight in our community for years to come.

🦔 Let’s make Walkern a hedgehog-friendly village.