Local news

Helping Hedgehogs

Despite the declining numbers nationally, we are lucky that there are still hedgehogs in Raynes Park and West Barnes. They are present on Cannon Hill Common and also in some of our back gardens. Sadly, many people are only aware of hedgehogs when they are killed by cars, such as a young hoglet squashed recently in Linkway. 

Hedgehogs are considered the gardener’s friend as they can help keep some of garden pests under control; the most important invertebrates in their diet are worms, beetles, slugs, caterpillars, earwigs and millipedes. 

A few ways of helping our prickly neighbours Hedgehogs travel around one mile every night through our parks and gardens in their quest to find enough food and a mate, so create 'hedgehog highways' by simply cutting a hedgehog-sized hole (13x13cm) in your fences. Let at least some of your garden grow wild: rough grassland, scrub, hedges, shallow ponds, log piles and compost heaps all provide food and shelter. Keep your green areas green by avoiding paving, decking, and artificial lawns. 

Please avoid using slug pellets – hedgehogs will eat the dead slugs and fall ill or die. 

We can help by reporting all sightings (alive or dead) to: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/. This website has lots of information on helping hedgehogs. At this time of year, some may need extra food, so that they are big enough to survive the hibernation period. 

The RSPCA have lots of good advice if you find a hedgehog that looks ill: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/hedgehogs 

Mary-Jane Jeanes