Homes for Hedgehogs
Hedgehog Hope
Every time a new survey is done, it seems as though the news gets worse and worse for hedgehogs. It’s relatively well known now that hedgehog numbers have been dropping since the 1950s, and there’s a long way to go if we are to reverse their decline.
The good news is that people care. Over 3,500 people signed up to our Homes for Hedgehogs journey, which means 3,500 households who really want to help our local hedgehogs. If we all do just one or two of the things mentioned in these emails, it will most definitely make a difference.
Photo: Getty Images/ Canva
Hedgehog Street have signed up 124,052 Hedgehog Champions across the UK. That’s almost 125 thousand people who are as passionate about Hedgehogs as you are, and it looks as though we have another 3,500 here in Somerset. It’s exciting to know that so many people really want to get out there and make a difference!
Some excellent news for hedgehogs is that a report by People's Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society in 2022 showed that the decline in urban areas has levelled off and is showing early signs of recovery. This shows that the ability to save this precious species may indeed be in the hands of people just like you.
The BIG Hedgehog Map is a new feature launched through the Hedgehog Street campaign, a national conservation project by PTES & BHPS aimed at Britain’s declining hedgehogs.
It’s actually quite hard to exactly know how many hedgehogs are out there. Nocturnal animals are notoriously hard to count and there is a theory that while people report sightings of rare animals, Hedgehogs are not considered rare by many – even if they are – so they don’t get reported. Our first ever hedgehog count is going to help us get a real picture of hedgehog numbers in somerset, and we’re going to ask you to help us in future years to keep counting your hedgehogs so that we can see any changes in populations. Within a few years we will have a set of data that could have a real impact on our understanding of how our actions are affecting hedgehog populations.
People also now seem to be much more knowledgeable about hedgehogs. The persistent myth of feeding hedgehogs bread and milk is now mostly understood to be incorrect, and overall, people are far more aware than ever about the importance of reducing pesticide and chemical use. The more we learn about hedgehogs and how we can make our gardens more wildlife friendly, the more we can make educated decisions that will make a real difference.
Thank you for being a hedgehog hero
All in all, helping hedgehogs has a real affect for wildlife in general. You may have joined this journey because you love hedgehogs, but the changes that you can make to support hedgehog populations will also have huge benefits for other wildlife, including garden birds and invertebrates, who are also struggling with changes in the habitats.
The biggest hope we have is in people like you, who are the ones who will really make a difference to hedgehog populations in Somerset and beyond.
Share the love!
We’d love to see your pictures of your hedgehog holes and highways! You can share them with us on social media by tagging us and using the hashtag #Homesforhedgehogs
