They could be in danger – and there are ways you can help them stay safe
Gardens offer hedgehogs the chance to find warmth, shelter and food(Image: Getty)
At this time of year, we’re starting to see more and more wildlife whether that’s a robin, fox or a hedgehog. But did you know it could be a bad thing if you see a hedgehog during the day?
According to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, hedgehogs are now “fattening up ahead of going into hibernation.” However, if you notice a hedgehog out and about during the day, experts advise contacting your local hedgehog rescue as spotting one before nighttime may be a sign that it is “very ill or not weigh enough to survive hibernation.”
With this in mind, people have been urged to leave out “meat-based cat or dog food” as this can “make all the difference.” Chicken-flavoured cat or dog food is a good choice, but specially formulated hedgehog biscuits are even better. You should also leave out a shallow dish of water to help keep them hydrated.
1. How to attract birds to your garden
Make robins fall in love with your garden by adding these things(Image: Cris Cantón via Getty)
Although birds don’t hibernate, they need to eat enough each day to sustain themselves through the night. Garden experts encourage people to also allow migrant birds like “redwings and fieldfares flock to gardens in bad weather and feast on windfall fruit.”
They also advise against clearing away fallen fruit, noting that “butterflies and other insects may also feed from them when sources of nectar have dried up.”
You should aim to provide “calorie-rich food for birds” if you want to see them flock to your garden. The BBC experts suggested: “Choose calorie-rich peanuts, sunflower hearts and suet products, and keep the feeders topped up as the birds will come to rely on them.”
2. Try this
As winter approaches, hibernating animals require safe, dry and undisturbed places to rest. You can support them by creating wildlife shelters using logs, branches, and other garden scraps.
Aim to pick a secluded spot away from activity and start your pile with the biggest materials at the base. Damp sections at the bottom will attract amphibians looking for cool and moist habitats whilst the upper layer – which are dry – should provide shelter for insects and small mammals.
People have been warned that this could get you into hot water(Image: David Burton via Getty Images)3. This is illegal
Did you know it’s illegal to disturb nesting birds in the spring. Although most birds don’t begin nesting until April or May, some start setting up their breeding territories as early as January meaning that pruning hedges now can help avoid disrupting them later in the season.
You can read all their tips and tricks via the BBC Gardeners World Magazin website. Let us know if you try any of these in the comments.
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