Twenty two days into December and I've seen Hedgehogs, at the feeding station, on every night of the month. It would appear that, at least, three animals are still active at this moment. Two are large adults, yet the third individual is a youngster and by far the most regular visitor. Two of my neighbours are also putting out food bowls and both have also seen Hedgehogs this month. It was during the five "added minutes" of the Spurs vs Liverpool game when the little 'un first appeared tonight. I had to wait over an hour for it to return as I needed to place the match result under the food bowl to counter those sceptics who think I'm making this stuff up!
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| It's so windy that I had to place a piece of wood on the A4 paper to prevent it blowing about and deterring the Hedgehogs from visiting. |
It is unusual to still have them around , the ones we were feeding in Peterborough stopped coming a month plus ago !
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have no scientific data to back up my thoughts, it would seem that the Thanet climate doesn't get cold enough (for a significant period) to require the local Hedgehogs to hibernate? My feeding station may have a role to play, by continued food supply, yet I'm not willing to gamble upon the health of those animals, still using it, by ceasing to offer food because of a date on a calendar.
DeleteMany thanks for taking time to offer a comment - Happy Christmas - Dylan
We were also regularly feeding but they obviously hibernated or went dormant once the colder weather started, although we are not far north possibly chiller here than you on the south coast ………and happy healthy Christmas and 2025 . Also good luck with your ongoing season pike hunt !
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that there is plenty of scope for further research into the correlation between garden feeding stations and hedgehog activity during the colder months. Although there are still three individuals visiting our garden, during the peak periods there would regularly be six, or eight, so obviously, even here on Thanet, some animals have become dormant.
DeleteAs for my Pike fishing, I don't seek luck, it's a change in the weather patterns that I require - many thanks for the comment - Dylan