The air is crisp, the nights are drawing in, and our gardens are awash in fiery colours. While we might be pulling out our cosy jumpers and lighting the first fires of the season, for one of our favourite garden residents, September and October mark a period of intense, non-stop activity.
We’re talking about the humble
hedgehog (or 'hogs', as we affectionately call them). Autumn is arguably their
busiest season, a race against time to prepare their bodies and build their
bunkers before the deep winter sleep arrives.
If you love spotting these
nocturnal visitors shuffling through your borders, now is the time to offer
them a helping hand. Creating a safe, resource-rich environment this autumn can
make the difference between a successful hibernation and a perilous winter.
Busy
as a Hog: The Autumn Race Against Time
Before a hedgehog can
successfully curl up for hibernation (usually starting late October or
November, depending on the weather), it needs to achieve a crucial mission: weight gain.
A hedgehog needs to weigh at
least 600g to have enough fat reserves to survive the lengthy, dangerous
hibernation period, where they lower their body temperature drastically and
rely solely on stored energy. If they are too small, they risk waking up too
early due to starvation, often with fatal consequences.
This is why you might notice
increased activity in your garden right now. They are diligently focused on
three main tasks:
1.
Foraging and Feasting
Hedgehogs are natural pest
controllers, hoovering up protein-rich insects, slugs, beetles, and earthworms.
This intense foraging is critical. They are literally stocking up on calories
for the next five months.
2.
Gathering Materials
While they are feasting, they
are also on the lookout for the perfect nesting materials. Hedgehogs don’t just
sleep in a pile of leaves; they build complex, insulated structures called hibernacula. These nests
are waterproof and intricately woven beneath shelter, primarily using dry
leaves, grass, and moss.
3.
Finding the Perfect Hideout
Once the nest is built, the
location must be secure. They look for spots that offer protection from
predators, cold, and rain—ideally under sheds, dense hedgerows, log piles, or
compost heaps.
How
You Can Help Hedgehogs Thrive This Winter
Given the immense pressure
hedgehogs face this season, our gardens can become vital havens. By making a
few simple adjustments, we can provide the shelter and sustenance they
desperately need.
1.
Create Safe, Purpose-Built Shelter
The biggest help you can offer is providing secure, dry spots for nesting:
Build or Buy a Hedgehog House: A purpose-built wooden hedgehog house offers superior protection against the elements and predators. Place it in a quiet, undisturbed area and partially cover it with logs or dead leaves to encourage use.
Leave the Mess: Resist the urge to be too tidy. Areas of your garden with long grass, dense bushes, leaf litter, and log piles are essential building sites for a hedgehog. Try to designate one corner of the garden as a ‘wild’ zone.
Compost Care: If you have a working compost heap, exercise extreme caution before turning it. It’s an ideal, warm spot for a nest. Always use a pole or rake to check thoroughly before inserting a fork.
2.
The Dangers of Bonfires and Leaf Piles
As we approach Bonfire Night,
the risk to hedgehogs dramatically increases. A large, dry bonfire pile is the
ultimate nesting site—warm, safe, and rich with materials.
Rule of Thumb: Always assume a hedgehog is sleeping
inside a bonfire structure.
- Re-site
the Pile: If possible, build the fire on
a flat, clear patch of ground and only move the material right before
lighting it.
- Check
Thoroughly: If you cannot move the fire,
use torches and rakes to check every corner from the base upwards,
scanning for movement or warmth, immediately before lighting.
3.
Provide Emergency Food and Water
While natural food sources are
key, autumn is the perfect time to offer supplementary meals, especially late
at night when they are most active:
- What
to Feed: Offer meaty cat or dog food
(not fish flavoured) or specially formulated hedgehog food.
- Avoid:
Never give milk (it makes them ill) or bread. Peanuts and sunflower seeds
are too small and can get stuck in their mouths.
- Fresh
Water: Always provide a shallow dish
of clean water, particularly if natural sources are drying up or freezing
over.
4.
Ensure Easy Access (Hedgehog Highways)
If your garden is completely
fenced, the hedgehog may be struggling to get in and out to forage across
larger territories. They travel up to a mile in a single night.
- Create
a Gap: Cut a small hole (about 13cm x
13cm) at the base of your fence or wall. This 'Hedgehog Highway' enables them to move safely between gardens, thereby increasing their chances of finding
food and resources.
Autumn is a period of immense
effort and risk for the hedgehog. By paying attention to where they might be
sheltering and ensuring they have nourishment, we can play a vital role in
protecting this iconic creature through the cold months ahead.
Let’s encourage a garden full
of sleepy, well-fed hogs this winter!
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