Just as with the bird feeders, my Hedgehog feeding bowl requires a level of commitment to ensure that any visitors are fully catered for. The general consensus is that Hedgehogs hibernate during the winter months and I am certainly not qualified to argue against this particular aspect of their life cycle away from my own encounters here on Thanet. Obviously, my running a garden feeding station only arose as a consequence of the Covd pandemic, so not very long within the bigger picture. However, my observations suggest that, locally, these animals remain active all year round. They only become dormant if temperatures fall below freezing for a prolonged period; and that doesn't happen very often in downtown Dumpton! I have seen, and photographed, Hedgehogs in every calendar month. My earliest record was 00.38 hrs on 1st January 2021 and my latest being 30th December 2023. I suppose the biggest question must revolve around the conundrum of "are they active because, or in spite, of my continued provision of food?" To be brutally honest, I don't really care. These animals are always a welcome sight within our garden and I feel very privileged to spend so much time in their company. Last night, as England were securing the points required for promotion to the "A" league, I was delighted, yet equally surprised, to watch a tiny "Hoglet" appear at the feeding bowl.
Not sure where it's come from as I certainly haven't seen any other youngsters in 2024. All I can do is keep on placing the food in the bowl and hope that those animals attracted are able to build enough body fat reserves should they be needed to survive a period of colder weather. If not, they can continue to visit the feeding station as it will offer sustenance all year around.
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| One of our regular clients |
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