Activity update ...

that is, things for you to do, not what the hedgehogs are up to!

Mid-November and you might not like the idea of adding anything to your to-do list - SORRY! 

courting couple from a few years ago - in a friend’s garden - torch light did not disturb their dance!

I don’t know about you but looking out of the window and finding that the sun has already gone down is still a bit of a shock … so that does not help either. Some of us are looking to the hedgehog world and thinking that maybe, just maybe, they got it right with this hibernation malarky!

Right - to business. There are things that need to be done that will help hedgehogs. Things that you can do … I have mentioned both of these before but in a recent meeting of hedgehoggy folks they came up again as needing more people!

First - the British Hedgehog Preservation Society was founded by Major Adrian Coles after he found hedgehogs dead in cattle grids. The vertical sides too high for them to escape, they had either starved or, in some cases, drowned. So he set about campaigning for people to put brick escape stairs into cattle grids - and this ended up becoming the society! 

Now there is a British Standard design of cattle grid …

BUT - there are still thousands out there that have not been replaced. We are looking for ‘Ramp Rangers’!!! Please - when you are next out on a rural walk, and you spot a cattle grid - take some notes, and a photo if possible. All the details can be found here.

What is needed: 

• Where is it (grid reference or what3words)?

• Private of public land?

• Is there a ramp for wildlife to escape?

• Take a photo if you can!

• Are there any hedgehogs - alive or, sadly dead, inside? 

• If you do spot a live hedgehog, PLEASE rescue it and contact BHPS on 01584 890801.

Second task … some of you may remember me talking about the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme … well it is going great guns. Forty sites have been covered this year and there are over 2000 online spotters busily working through the images …

Ah - now for those of you who missed the original - the NHMP is a nationwide research project that will bring us a more accurate idea of how many hedgehogs there are in the country. It uses remote cameras set up in specific patterns to collect LOTS of data. Now much of the useless data can be weeded out by AI - but Artificial Intelligence is not good enough for the finer details, and that is where you come in … so - follow THIS LINK and log on and learn how your can help hedgehogs from the comfort of your sofa at home!!!

Okay - that is enough tasks for now … just a few final notes that might be of interest.

The first article I wrote for Scribehound Gardening - all about hedgehogs and bonfires - went down a storm. It is not a free site, but if you do love gardens and gardening, you might just enjoy it - 30 different writers contributing an original piece of work each month (my next one is about robins!) - have a look here and see if it appeals.

On 21st November there will be a VERY special Infinite Monkey Cage broadcast on BBC Radio 4 - it will be about HEDGEHOGS!!! My first time on the programme and I can’t wait to find out what I said!

If you are in Oxford on 1st December - I will have a stall at the amazing Green Fair, taking place in the Town Hall - I will be answering your hedgehog related questions and hopefully selling a few books … 

If you are in London on 13th December - I will be with Robin Ince again - taking part in Nine Lessons and Carols for Curious People in Kings Place - there are still some tickets, available HERE

And if you are really wondering what to get me for Christmas - could I suggest something that will cost you NOTHING … I know that Amazon is a pretty grotty thing, but, the reviews that appear do make a difference. So, if you have read any of my books and feel like you have nice things to say about them, popping up a small review would be such a treat, thank you.

More soon!!!