Hedgehog numbers on the rise

[neilo]

I’ve just watched a Sky news item on an apparent increase in hedgehog numbers in the UK, after years of decline.
There was no mention of the badger culls for some reason.

 

[Bald Rick]

Saw a clip on Googlebox if few weeks ago at a hedgehog rescue centre and the lady in charge explicitly blamed badgers for predation
Those at the front line know, those who think they are, don't want to know

 

[Hindsight]

Disturbed this little chap yesterday when I decided to tidy up the garden shed. He had tucked himself in an old blanket. Had seen a hedgehog in the garden in January and was concerned for his welfare. Tucked him back up but he had moved off when I checked later. Hope he is OK. Put out a bit of cat food last night but still there this morning. We see them in and around the village but in last year Badgers also now in the Village Gardens.

 

[Paddington]

Had a hedgehog snuffling around the back door one night last year, first one we have ever seen here.

 

[Lincs Lass]

Had 7 in the garden in October.
They were coming from the neighbors from their big garden ,dug a hole under the fence to get through .
My log store has pallets for air circulation and they've been nesting in them.
Gamekeepers are not lovers of them as they take the eggs from under nesting birds and I think since COVID,the lack of game shoots ,less birds been released ,the hedgehog have been thriving

 

[Tim W]

Hedgehog on the menu ---

 

[Deereone]

I haven't used any firewood from one pile this winter ,since four piglets were seen using it for shelter.

 

[Pigken]

Spike in hedgehog numbers surely.

 

[jondear]

Been seeing them now for two years .Even young ones in straw in a calf shed !
Before that not for 20 years !.We are in a cull zone that's just finished .

 

[Cowabunga]

Had 7 in the garden in October.
They were coming from the neighbors from their big garden ,dug a hole under the fence to get through .
My log store has pallets for air circulation and they've been nesting in them.
Gamekeepers are not lovers of them as they take the eggs from under nesting birds and I think since COVID,the lack of game shoots ,less birds been released ,the hedgehog have been thriving

Are there many badgers in your part of the world? We have lots and lots of badgers but haven’t seen a hedgehog in years. They used to be quite common. They decided in inverse proportion to badger numbers increasing. Poor things.

 

[Lazy Sod]

This is the second winter that Mrs LS has fed the hedgehogs that we have. The are hibernating boxes and feeding stations in the front and and back gardens. They're awake now and are taking food from both places. They're really dirty things though, they sh1t everywhere, including in their food and water bowls.

They give Mrs LS a lot of work.

 

[Lincs Lass]

Are there many badgers in your part of the world? We have lots and lots of badgers but haven’t seen a hedgehog in years. They used to be quite common. They decided in inverse proportion to badger numbers increasing. Poor things.

Not seen any or signs of them but you often find one layed on the road side ,either clipped from a wagon or died of some other intervention and dumped .

 

[Welderloon]

Sign of a healthy natural environment, always good to see them, shame we see so many killed on the roads around here

 

[Lazy Sod]

A lot of mammals seen killed on the roadside is a sign of a high population.

 

[Lazy Sod]

Are there many badgers in your part of the world? We have lots and lots of badgers but haven’t seen a hedgehog in years. They used to be quite common. They decided in inverse proportion to badger numbers increasing. Poor things.

I take it that you're not in a badger culling area.

 

[Vader]

Had 7 in the garden in October.
They were coming from the neighbors from their big garden ,dug a hole under the fence to get through .
My log store has pallets for air circulation and they've been nesting in them.
Gamekeepers are not lovers of them as they take the eggs from under nesting birds and I think since COVID,the lack of game shoots ,less birds been released ,the hedgehog have been thriving

Gamekeeper wise, probably on the past. But few shoots rely on wild birds now so poults put down. So hedgehogs don't effect that.

(You say less birds released.. but released birds have no effect on hedgehogs as no eggs.. probably get bonus of water supply from drinkers on hot weather...)

 

[Vader]

I take it that you're not in a badger culling area.

The public cull them round here. The 1 bonus of farming in bandit country on urban edge. Lots of dog men from the housing estates and caravan parks...

 

[Cowabunga]

I take it that you're not in a badger culling area.

Wales refuses to have those. They prefer diseased badgers to healthy ones.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Hedgehog on the menu ---

i bet some think it would've been 'great' if a rifle shot rang out just as that one dropped dead as a clat .
I recall there was another bit younger shepherd who saw one of them take lambs before as well. he didn't do it again though ,nor did a few of his mates.

 

[Kidds]

A lot of mammals seen killed on the roadside is a sign of a high population.

They've got some badger problem around Whitchurch (Shropshire) then. Must be dozens of badgers dead on the side of the road around there.
Rarely see a rabbit, fox or hare dead on the road although I did see one of each over the weekend.