Mario Bautista
Gardeners are being urged to put a tray of water in their gardens in October in a bid to boost an endangered species before winter.
Though there’s plenty of rain to go around this autumn as the Met Office seemingly issues rain warning after rain warning, gardeners are still being asked to help out by providing a dedicated feeding area for one species in particular – hedgehogs.
Hedgehogs are massively endangered, with their numbers under threat thanks to loss of habitat, climate change and even the different design of modern gardens which prevent them from being able to move from place to place as easily.
But hedgehogs are a gardener’s friend; they hoover up slugs and snails and help keep flowerbeds clear of pests.
That’s why gardeners are being asked to leave a tray of water in their gardens this October in a bid to help hedgehogs endure the harsh weather conditions.
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society says: “Creating a wild corner or edge or building a log pile will provide natural food and shelter for visiting hedgehogs. To supplement their natural diet you can offer meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or cat biscuits.
“They will also need dishes of clean water. Spreading the food over multiple sites will reduce the risk of aggressive encounters at food bowls. Scattering some of the food will encourage more natural foraging behaviour.”
It adds: “Hedgehogs are nocturnal so those out in the day are displaying odd behaviour. Even though they appear lively and are rushing around these hedgehogs probably need rescuing in autumn/winter. Once out in the day they can be days away from death. Even when rescued they can seem OK for a day or so and then suddenly collapse and die. Therefore, if out in the day in autumn/winter, whether rushing about or curled up asleep they need rescuing. Hedgehogs do NOT hibernate in the open. They make a nest of leaves etc and disappear into the depths of the nest and are completely hidden.”
