Hedgehog

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 Only a couple of times in the last 13 years have we seen hedgehogs in the garden, although we have seen roadkill and knew they were around. I changed the position of my trail cams last night to a spot near the house in order to try and "trap" some stoat pictures but was delighted to find a clip of a hedgehog instead.


There are species of hedgehogs in most parts of the world but none native to the Americas apparently. "Hedgehog" because they are often found along hedgerows and they have a pig like snout. Hedgehogs are distantly related to shrews. I wonder whether the fact that I am not cutting the grass on the lawn this month has made this a better place for them to hunt? Hedgehogs are omnivorous and nocturnal. Hedgehogs hibernate in the winter and tend to come out of hibernation in these parts in April.
The principal predator of hedgehogs is the badger. This probably explains why I don't see hedgehogs in my usual trap locations where the badgers are - it is probably safer for hedgehogs near the house.
In this country hedgehog numbers have plummeted in recent years. Loss of habitat, the custom of using fences rather than hedges, and road fatalities all contribute to this. Ironically, in New Zealand where British hedgehogs were introduced the animals have flourished and are regarded as pests. Perhaps there is a case for a repatriation programme?

Diary
A fabulous full moon last night with clear skies and some sunshine today for a change. Despite the warmer weather only 3 moths in my light trap last night. A couple of "Scalloped Hazel" and a "Hebrew Character" (the markings are supposed to resemble Hebrew script).

The spotted flycatcher that has been hanging about has laid eggs (5) in the same nest that they used last year.





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