Latest news with #BritishHedgehogPreservationSociety
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
University of Brighton launches campus hedgehog survey
A university is rolling out new plans to help provide more safe spaces for hedgehogs across its University of Brighton said it wanted to help protect hedgehogs across its sites to try to combat rapidly falling population numbers across the and students from the institution began a survey on Monday to track the number of hedgehogs across the university's three campuses ahead of plans to turn green spaces into hedgehog White, sustainability projects officer at the university, said the survey would "provide us with a real insight" into local population numbers and shape further conservation work. Survey works see students placing "tracking tunnels", which use ink pads and paper to log paw prints, across the university's campuses in Falmer, Moulsecoomb and the city results will then be used to decide where to target support based on where the hedgehogs are living on the university's White added: "It's about making practical changes like creating safe spaces and removing hazards to reduce the impact campus life has on local wildlife."We're proud to take an active role in protecting local biodiversity and equipping our students with the tools to make a difference."Experts from The British Hedgehog Preservation Society said in October that population numbers across the UK had halved over the space of the last people can take to help hedgehogs in their own back gardens include leaving small holes in the bottom of fences to help them get around and giving them leaves and foliage to hide under.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cat's Life: Cumbrians urged to create garden havens as Hedgehog Awareness Week begins
Gardeners across Cumbria are being encouraged to turn their outdoor spaces into safe havens for one of Britain's most cherished wild animals, as Hedgehog Awareness Week gets underway. The annual campaign, which began on Sunday, May 4, is run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and highlights challenges hedgehogs face, while offering practical ways the public can help protect them. Hedgehogs have seen a drastic population decline of around 75 percent in the last two decades, largely due to the destruction of their natural habitat through urban expansion, new developments and changes to garden layouts. Despite the worrying national trend, Cumbria has historically shown strong signs of support for its prickly residents. ADVERTISEMENT In 2016, Kendal was recognised as the most 'hedgehog friendly' townNow, homeowners are being called on to build on that legacy. a trusted platform connecting people with skilled tradespeople, has launched a campaign encouraging people to make their gardens more welcoming to hedgehogs. A step-by-step guide has been created by gardening experts, providing practical advice on how to make small but significant changes. 'hedgehog-friendly guide' (Image: Tips to create a home 'fit for a hog' Leave some areas wild Wild areas provide a natural food source and a place of nesting. Allowing dense plants, such as nettles, to grow will provide shelter for your hedgehogs throughout the months. You could even consider creating a 'meadow edge' of wildflowers, which looks attractive while serving an ecological purpose. ADVERTISEMENT Avoid using pesticides or slug pellets Slug pellets are really harmful to hedgehogs so avoid using them. Hedgehogs eat slugs, so even if they don't get to the pellets themselves, if they eat a slug that has, it can poison them. There are many natural ways to deter pests in your garden which include 'Beer traps' (bowls of beer sunk in the ground) or sprinkling coffee grounds round the base of plants. Check your garden before mowing You could embrace No Mow May - but if mowing your lawn, check any areas of long grass before going ahead as hedgehogs love it. Walk your lawn, mow slowly and give hedgehogs a chance to hear the mower. Build a hedgehog home Hedgehog houses are quick and easy to make and all you need is a few bits of timber, a hammer, and some nails. The entrance to the home should be around 13cm x 13cm, with a total space of 25cm high and 35cm x 35cm inside. ADVERTISEMENT Never paint the inside of your hedgehog house and avoid putting food inside it. Cover drains Uncovered drains can be a hazard for hedgehogs and they can easily fall in. Cover them using a specific 'manhole cover' used for drains, or using a water-filled bag on a more temporary basis. Leave constant access Hedgehogs are nocturnal and roam around 1-2km every night, so they will appreciate having a wide range of outdoor areas they can explore. Cut out a 13cmx13cm hole at the bottom of your fence. Alternatively, you can dig a channel underneath your fence if you don't want to put a hole through it. To really help wildlife, consider replacing a fence with a hedge to allow easy access and provide shelter. Consider losing a panel if you live in a new build New-build homes have had problems with fences being built too tight together, which can prevent hedgehogs from accessing your garden. To mitigate this issue, consider losing a panel or two at the side of your fence. ADVERTISEMENT James Lewis, a gardening expert from (Image: Sharon Jacobs, a senior nurse at Tigglywinkle's Wildlife Hospital said: "This guide provides great basic steps for British gardeners to take to really create an area that is supportive to the safety and health of hedgehogs. "On top of this, we would urge gardeners to take care when mowing, strimming, or hedgecutting. We see thousands of injuries from this sort of activity every year, and it can be easily avoided by checking the areas you are working on before starting.' To support the campaign, locals can join the conversation using #CumbriaHedgehogs and access the full guide at:
BBC News
06-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Important' to care for Surrey hedgehogs, say conservation groups
Surrey wildlife groups are urging people to make sure their gardens are welcoming to Awareness Week, an annual campaign by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, runs until 10 Brummer, founder of Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue in Windlesham, said hedgehogs "get to know an area really well so it's really important that we look after the hedgehogs in our local area".Oliver Fry, of Surrey Wildlife Trust, told BBC Radio Surrey hedgehog numbers "are down substantially" in recent years. Hedgehogs can be supported by ensuring gardens are not "too tidy" as they like to hide in leaves, foliage, and under sheds, said Mr added that cutting small holes in the bottom of fences will "enable the prickly little characters to move around unimpeded, and they'll help you out by eating your slugs as they go about their business". 'What's not to love?' Ms Brummer said native flowers can attract food for hedgehogs as can places for them to drink, but that it was important to make sure hedgehogs have a means of escape from water if they fall uncovered drains, and gardening tools can all be hazards for hedgehogs, she added."It's important to look after them because they are really cool," she said."They only do good to our garden, they get rid of all the slugs and bugs and things that gardeners don't like in there, and they are just the most beautiful little things you can imagine. What's not to love about them?"Mr Fry added: "They are wonderful creatures and it is such a pleasure to see them in your garden."
Powys County Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Powys County Times
Pencwm Haven Rescue in Radnorshire opens to help hedgehogs
A woman has opened a new rescue facility with its very own 'hog hotel' inside her Radnorshire garage to help sick and injured hedgehogs. Caroline Mills held the grand opening of Pencwm Haven in Llaithddu, between Newtown and Llandrindod Wells surrounded by supporters and local hedgehog rescuers on Friday (April 25) ahead of Hedgehog Awareness Week from May 4 to 10. Pencwm Haven is the latest satellite rescue facility that's been supported by Newtown's Havenmore which was launched by Rose and Richard Lambert in 2019 with help from TV presenter and naturalist Iolo Williams. Caroline has completed a British Hedgehog Preservation Society approved course in first aid, care and rehabilitation, and will continue to train and help Rose when hoglet season starts in June and July. The new 'hog hotel' at Pencwm Haven Hedgehog Rescue. Rose will still be giving talks, holding fundraising stalls with Caroline and take in hedgehogs as usual in Newtown. 'We are not closing,' said Rose. 'We just don't want to get any bigger and maybe we can get a break in the quiet months. "We will slowly get smaller as we take in on average 250 hedgehogs a year. "If anyone living near Caroline would love to volunteer at Pencwm Haven, she would be very grateful. "We are indebted to one of our trustees Geoff Parsons who has converted the garage into the new rescue along with help from Rob Burridge and Gerard and Sarah Bland for fitting the electrics. "We are so grateful to all those who give their time, making gifts, holding fundraising stalls for us and supporting us in so many ways. We cannot run without you." If you spot a poorly hedgehog, please call Havenmore on 01686 625706 or 07964 338630, or phone Pencwm Haven on 07763 888131. Hokey Pokey hedgehog rescue, which opened in Welshpool in 2023, can be contacted on 07779 828943.
