Nationally, hedgehog numbers are in decline, although the latest report from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) suggests that the steep decline may be levelling off, at least in urban areas.
There have been several recent sightings of hedgehogs in Plumpton and East Chiltington - even a set of hoglets in one garden - so the Wildlife Group would like to get a better idea of how many hedgehogs there are in the parish. Please send details of any sightings to Jacqui Hutson (jacqueline.hutson@btinternet.com or 07881456211), giving the date(s), location (grid reference or postcode & house name/number), how many hedgehogs you saw, whether there were any young and how often you see them.
Please tell Jacqui approximately what time you saw the hedgehog(s). Hedgehogs have large territories and travel 1-2km a night in search of food, so it is possible that we may all be seeing the same hedgehogs! It is helpful to have small holes in your garden fence to allow hedgehogs to come and go.
Hedgehogs eat beetles, grubs, slugs and earthworms, but these may be in short supply during dry weather, so they will appreciate extra food and a bowl of water. Don't give them milk - hedgehogs are lactose intolerant - or mealworms. The best supplementary food is meat-based moist dog or cat food, or cat biscuits. Or you can buy specialist hedgehog food at garden centres.
More information on hedgehogs and how to make your garden hedgehog friendly:
British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Hedgehog Street
There have been several recent sightings of hedgehogs in Plumpton and East Chiltington - even a set of hoglets in one garden - so the Wildlife Group would like to get a better idea of how many hedgehogs there are in the parish. Please send details of any sightings to Jacqui Hutson (jacqueline.hutson@btinternet.com or 07881456211), giving the date(s), location (grid reference or postcode & house name/number), how many hedgehogs you saw, whether there were any young and how often you see them.
Please tell Jacqui approximately what time you saw the hedgehog(s). Hedgehogs have large territories and travel 1-2km a night in search of food, so it is possible that we may all be seeing the same hedgehogs! It is helpful to have small holes in your garden fence to allow hedgehogs to come and go.
Hedgehogs eat beetles, grubs, slugs and earthworms, but these may be in short supply during dry weather, so they will appreciate extra food and a bowl of water. Don't give them milk - hedgehogs are lactose intolerant - or mealworms. The best supplementary food is meat-based moist dog or cat food, or cat biscuits. Or you can buy specialist hedgehog food at garden centres.
More information on hedgehogs and how to make your garden hedgehog friendly:
British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Hedgehog Street
