We want you to have a better understanding of the wildlife you host in your garden – especially when it comes to hedgehogs, whose numbers have decreased by 50% in the UK since the start of the century.
Whether or not we know for a fact that we have certain animal species living in and/or visiting our gardens, we should always be taking steps to attract a wealth of wildlife. Hosting a rich eco-system will promote natural pest control and a thriving habitat for those species which are currently struggling.
So, before you read our guide on how to make sure your garden is completely hedgehog-friendly and an attractive place for them to roam, feed and hibernate, let's learn how to spot their presence in the first place.
We asked Fay Vass, from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), for her tips...
4 signs a hedgehog frequents your garden at night
1. Leaves and ground foliage have been disturbed
Hedgehogs like to rest in damp, dark places, like log piles or composts. If you have any areas like this in your garden and notice a place of disturbance, it could well have been made by a hedgehog.
Already have a hedgehog house or feeding station? Place a large leaf over its entrance in the evening and check if it has been moved in the morning.
2. Droppings spotted
It's possible to have droppings of all shapes and sizes in our garden from various animals, so how can we tell whose is whose? Hedgehog droppings are the size of a small cat poo but are round on top instead of pointy. If you spot any of these, you know a hedgehog has been.
3. Install a camera
For the true wildlife fans among us, this will allow you to get to know your garden habitat at night through electronic eyes. Positioning a camera carefully will mean you capture every animal that graces your lawn. Here are some top picks...
Best wildlife cameras
GardePro Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 24MP photo/H.264 1296P video resolution with sound
- 0.1s trigger speed
- 2.4” high-resolution colour screen
- 3 capture modes (photo, video, or both)
- Waterproof
Wildlife camera features:
- 20MP photos/1080P video resolution
- 36pcs IR LEDs
- Night vision motion activated
- IP66 waterproof
Wildlife camera features:
- 40MP photo resolution
- Solar powered - dual power supply
- WiFi/bluetooth
- 120 degree detection angle
- Night vision motion activated
- IP66 waterproof
- U3 32GB Micro SD Card
Campark TC06 Trail Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 60MP photo/4k video resolution
- 0.1s trigger speed
- Wifi/bluetooth
- 120 degree detection angle
- IP66 waterproof
- 3 capture modes (photo, video, or both)
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080p HD colour video
- 14MP colour images showing date, time and temperature information
- Motion sensor with 30m detection range
- Timelapse mode
- Less than 1 second trigger speed
- Waterproof
Wildlife camera features:
- 48MP photo/4K video resolution
- 0.3 trigger speed
- 120 degree adjustable angle
- 36pcs 850nm low glow IR LEDs for night vision
- WiFi/bluetooth
- IP66 waterproof
Spypoint Force-DARK
Wildlife camera features:
- 12MP camera resolution
- 0.07s trigger speed
- Up to 33.5m detection range
- Burst Mode 1-9 images per triggering
Denver WCT-8020W Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 1080P video resolution
- 8mpixel CMOS sensor with 2.0" LCD screen
- Splash proof IP65 standard
- 108 degree sight angle
- Automatic IR lights to capture photos at night
- Wi-Fi function (30 meters distance connection and APP available)
Solognac Wildlife Camera
Wildlife camera features:
- 12MP photos/1280x720P video resolution
- 1s trigger speed
- Motion detection at distances of up to 10m
- 940 nm invisible flash for night vision
- 16 GB SD card included
4. Your neighbours have them
If your neighbours have hedgehogs in their garden, it's very likely that you do too, as hedgehogs travel up to a mile every night. This is why it's so important that we ensure hedgehog highways within communities so the hedgehogs have space to roam freely looking for shelter and food. For more information on how to get your street involved, visit hedgehogstreet.org.
TheBespokeWorkshop1 Hedgehog Highway Sign, Sign for Hedgehog Safe Fence, Save the Hedgehogs Sign, Hedgehog Hole Sign
TheBespokeWorkshop1 Hedgehog Highway Sign, Sign for Hedgehog Safe Fence, Save the Hedgehogs Sign, Hedgehog Hole Sign
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