Call for local champions to find out the habits of native hedgehogs - The Redditch Standard

Call for local champions to find out the habits of native hedgehogs

Redditch Editorial 24th May, 2020   0

A ‘CITIZENS science initiative’ aimed at discovering more about the humble hedgehog has been launched.

Picture by Cate Barrow, for Hedgehog Street.

‘Hedgehogs After Dark has been launched by a trio of charities working through the group Hedgehog Street.

Running until July 26, 2020, it asks local residents to become hedgehog champions to record hedgehog behaviour to help conservationists discover, and better understand, the hidden lives of Britain’s popular nocturnal creature this summer.

The aim is to find out what hedgehogs are up to in the evening, when they are most active.




“If at dusk and after dark, you spot behaviours such as feeding or drinking, travelling across a garden, or even better using a Hedgehog Highway, swimming in a pond, mating, grooming or nesting, we want to hear about it,” said hedgehog officer Grace Johnson.

“We know gardens are vital habitats for hedgehogs, but we’d like to understand exactly how they are using them.


“Lockdown is a great opportunity to watch, connect with and help our wildlife, so if you’re lucky enough to see a hedgehog in your garden, we’d love to hear about it and to find out what he or she is up to!”

Hedgehog Champions – people who have pledged to help hedgehogs by making small changes to their gardens – can start logging any behaviours seen from this week.

Those who aren’t already a Hedgehog Champion but want to take part, can sign up for free online at Hedgehog Street.

Photos can be upload to social media using #HedgehogsAfterDark, and people with a wildlife camera can upload their best videos to the Hedgehogs After Dark behaviour log too.

To take part visit: www.hedgehogstreet.org/Hedgehogs-After-Dark and to access top tips and FAQs on how to further help hedgehogs, download the Hedgehog Street app for free or visit: www.hedgehogstreet.org.

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