On the 11th December, I wrote about how hedgehogs wake periodically through the winter, and it is important to try and provide food for them when they do. From experience, it seems that a warm spell following a frozen spell is when they are likely to wake. And sure enough, yesterday afternoon, Michael the 3 legged hedgehog who lives in my garden, emerged from his box and started rooting around in the leaves. Luckily, we had also placed a bowl of water near his box and he was far more interested in the water than the food.
Michael enjoying a bowl of water
He apparently spent 20 minutes drinking before moving onto the dog food. It thus appears that water is just as important as food for hedgehogs that wake from hibernation.
Interestingly, after he drank and ate a bit of dog food, he waddled back into his box and didn’t come out again during the night, even though it was still quite warm. So hibernation must mess up their daily rhythms and they may emerge from sleep at any time.
Well done, Dean. Michael has clearly picked the right garden to hibernate in.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.