Whilst I readily acknowledge that the weather, here on Thanet, isn't anything like as extreme as that being experienced by folk living further north. The past few nights have been pretty chilly, resulting in ground frosts on both Wednesday and Thursday mornings; that's not something we're used to as Thanet "softies" Now it is the impending arrival of "Storm Bert" (who makes these names up?) which is gripping the headlines of the various weather forecasting bodies around the t/v companies and mainstream press. If they are to be believed, then tomorrow looks like it might be rather lively, to say the least, and travel prove to be hazardous in many areas. Why am I writing all this stuff? Well my garden Hedgehogs don't seem to have access to, or take any notice of, the weather forecasts and remain as active as they've been all throughout the year.
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| An adult which has rather strange feeding habits. It will pick out a single "meaty meal" and carry it away to eat before returning for another morsel. |
I have spent the past three evenings/nights watching the feeding bowl activity from within the relative comfort of my study. All the images taken have been through the double glazing of my back door, thus not as good as they could be if I had the door open, but it was too bloody windy and cold. I illuminate the area, around the bowl, with my Core "Work Lite" and have the camera set in auto mode. There are at least six different Hedgehogs using the feeding bowl and this includes two (possibly three) "hoglets". Knowing that Pike fishing is a non-starter for the foreseeable future, I am going to concentrate on the activity around the feeding bowl during this period of crazy weather, just to provide further evidence to support my "don't need to hibernate" theory concerning the population which is local to me.
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| In an attempt at providing some scale to my images. This is the bowl I use. |
There is no scientific methodology behind my observations, opposed to a feeling of being very privileged to spend time watching this activity at such close quarters. So until my next offering - "Batten down the Hatches" - here comes Storm Bert.
Evening up-date
Well the lull before the storm, or so it would appear? The wind has dropped away with temperatures around 3C and rising. The Hedgehogs have been active since 18.00 hrs and it is now 21.30 hrs. Watford are 2 - 1 up at Plymouth and I've taken 84 images of the Hedgehogs tonight, with the back door wide open - result! I can confirm that there are, at least, three hoglets visiting the feeding bowl plus four adults. It's not that often I see three animals together at the bowl during the warmer months so I was more than happy when I got this opportunity tonight!
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| The images are so much better when the double glazing is removed from the equation. |
Hogs were common when we were kids in Hemel 60s 70s,We have a good healthy number up here in Northumberand,I come across them all the time when doing Red Squirrel surveys and monitering the feeding stations and trying to eradicate the Grey ,We are trying to save the last remaining Reds in the Coquet valley in Northumberland
ReplyDeleteRegards
Phil
As I understand it? The decline in Hedgehog numbers, particularly in the countryside, is in direct correlation to the change in farming practices. Wholesale use of pesticides and the removal of hedgerows has had a massive impact upon these rural populations. Thankfully, in suburban Thanet, they are still quite numerous around the local parks and gardens. What is now providing me with such interest is the continued activity during the period when, in other parts of the UK, they are hibernating. Wishing you every success in the battle against the Grey Squirrels.
DeleteAll the best - Dylan