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Hedgehogs will survive winter if you place 1 item in your garden this November
Hedgehogs are a common sight in UK gardens, but their numbers are dwindling, so it's important we do all we can to help them thrive.
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Gardeners Urged to Create Hedgehog Sanctuaries Amidst Alarming Population Decline
Local Environmentalist Offers Practical Solutions to Boost Declining Hedgehog Populations Nik Mitchell, a local environmentalist and filmmaker, has released a new guide aimed at helping residents transform their gardens into vital sanctuaries for hedgehogs. The initiative comes amidst growing concerns over the significant decline in hedgehog populations across the UK, with numbers plummeting by over 50% in rural areas and 30% in urban environments over the past two decades. Mitchell's practical advice focuses on creating safe and accessible environments for these cherished British garden residents. "It's crucial to provide supplementary food, especially when natural food sources are dwindling," Mitchell explained in his recent video. He demonstrated how to construct a secure feeding station using a repurposed storage box, featuring a 5-inch entrance and an internal barrier designed to keep out larger predators such as foxes and cats. "If you just leave food out in the open, you're rolling out the red carpet for birds, foxes, or even the neighbor's cat," he cautioned, emphasizing the need for protected feeding areas. The environmentalist also recommended "Vale's Hedgehog Food," highlighting its balanced nutritional content of proteins, fats, and vitamins essential for hedgehog health. Beyond feeding, Mitchell stressed the importance of garden accessibility, suggesting the installation of "hedgehog highways" or small tunnels under fences to allow hedgehogs to roam freely, often traveling a mile or more each night. Furthermore, Mitchell encouraged gardeners to embrace "a bit of wildness" by maintaining overgrown areas, leaf piles, log piles, and hedges. These features provide vital shelter and nesting sites, while diverse plant life attracts natural food sources like beetles, caterpillars, and earthworms. "By providing them with top-quality food and a safe, welcoming environment, you are making a real difference," Mitchell concluded, urging community participation in this critical conservation effort.
