Hedgehogs are, without doubt, one of our favourite mammals. But their numbers have dramatically fallen due to habitat loss, leaving the species on the brink in some areas.
But there is some good news for our urban populations of hedgehogs at least.
Whilst the numbers of their countryside cousins are still falling, this decline is slowing or even halting in some urban areas.
This is partly due to people in urban areas taking measures to make their gardens and local greenspaces more hedgehog friendly.
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HOG-FRIENDLY SPACES: Urban gardeners are turning the tide for nature by transforming city spaces into hedgehog havens (Image: Nick Upton)
Hedgehogs can travel up to one mile per night in search of food and when looking for a mate, but to be able to do this they need to move freely between our green spaces.
Solid fences inhibit movement, pesticides kill off their insect food, and gardens being kept too neat and tidy mean there is nowhere for them to find shelter or hibernate.
But there are loads of simple and easy ways that we can all help hedgehogs in our urban gardens, parks and other greenspaces.
COSY HOME: Leaving a wild corner of sticks and leaves for nesting in the garden is the easiest way to give our local hedgehogs a safe place to call home (Image: Jon Hawkins)
Dig a channel under, or make a small hole at the base of, fences, put those pesticides away, and leave a messy corner filled with leaves and sticks to make a perfect natural hedgehog home.
While these measures might seem simple, the gradual recovery of urban hedgehog numbers shows that they really do work.
And with the plight of rural hedgehogs being really worrying, if we don’t look after our urban hogs then this iconic British species could disappear forever.
Free, fun, family hedgehog-themed crafts
So, this half term the residents of Wythenshawe are being treated to a full day of hedgehog themed fun, all with the aim of passing on some of our favourite hedgehog friendly hints and tips.
Wythenshawe is a vibrant, diverse and friendly community, full of amazing opportunities for nature – and is also home to an exciting new long-term urban nature recovery and community engagement project called Championing Nature.
Made possible by Wimbledon (yes, the tennis people!) and Emirates, the next six years will see our staff working with the Wythenshawe community to really get involved, enjoy and make a difference for the nature on their doorsteps.
Each season will culminate with a Heartbeat Moment, an event, or series of events, which are based in the local community and aim to celebrate all that is wonderful about the area, its people and its nature. And this winter it’s all about hedgehogs.
The morning of Saturday, February 21 will see us in Wythenshawe Forum providing a morning of free, fun, family hedgehog themed crafts – come along, get creative and learn a bit more about the prickliest of Wythenshawe residents (no, not grumpy Sandra from the local shop).
In the afternoon we are super excited to be joined by local hedgehog expert Dr Frankie Kerridge from Myerscough College and University Centre at Norbrook Community Centre who will teach us all about hedgehogs and how to help protect them. Head to our website to book your free tickets.
But why hedgehogs? Hedgehogs are one of six golden thread species that the Championing Nature project will focus on this year and so they will take the spotlight at these upcoming events which are aimed at families and young people.
Small actions for nature can have a huge impact on the recovery of a species and we can have such a positive influence by demonstrating what we can do to help protect them.
By inspiring families and young people to take action, it could have a huge impact on the future of our prickly little friends, and it will influence future generations not just in Wythenshawe but Manchester and beyond.
By Laura Hacking Vile from The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.
To become a member, go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129.
For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.
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