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Don't forget hedgehogs when tidying your garden

As the fine weather prompts many gardeners to clean up and clear out long grass and hedgerows before winter sets in, spare a thought for hedgehogs who may have other ideas about their perfect home.

At this time of year, hedgehogs find themselves at risk from strimmers, hedge trimmers, and garden bonfires.

Here at Secret World, we see hedgehogs suffering from appalling injuries caused when gardeners simply fail to notice these small and gentle creatures. To make matters worse, piles of garden waste, leaves and branches present an appealling habitat for hedgehogs, who may crawl in and make themselves at home  – just before their new dwelling is set alight.

You can help by keeping a close eye out for hedgehogs, checking bonfires and garden waste before setting them alight, and leaving wild areas of the garden in which hedgehogs can safely hibernate.

Well it was sunny and hot but the workers all came and a lot of work was done. My first call out for the day was to a cat that was in someone’s garden down in the village. Ii was very hungry and thin and was happy to settle in a pen with a nice warm fleece and food to hand. We shall have to put some signs up to see if anyone has lost her. She is very sweet natured but I would have thought quite old  – I see from her notes that the staff are giving her cuddles but I really don’t want to add to our ‘ already too many cats’!!!

She's very sweet - but can't stay !!

It was great to see the juvenile hedgehogs tucking into their food Saturday evening. They have really grown and will be able to go out into the outside pens soon.

Real Juveniles now - soon be outside

I’m in charge of Rocky again while Simon is away over night. A very disgruntled Albert is howling the house down everytime I leave him. He is still needing to be restricted because of his injured back leg and the fact of being left behind, knowing I have taken the 8 stone Great Dane with me instead when I move around the centre is just too much for him to bear. Thank goodness Simon is back tomorrow.

It was our Tortoise and Hedgehog Open weekend. Despite the forecast we had two fairly good days that were reduced to pouring rain by 4 in the afternoon but that was when most people are on their way home anyway.

Eric the giant tortoise that the British Chelonia Group was very popular and was a contrast to the Jopa Miniature Ponies.  We some other ponies with us and they were giving pony rides on both days so there was plenty for people to do. We had quite a few baby hedgehogs that were being cared for by staff and volunteers so they brought them out for our talks in the courtyard. Hedgehogs have to be one of the most popular of our wildlife.

What is that ??!!

The Chelonia Group were also able to give advice on tortoises and turtles and of course, people could see our red eared terrapins in the greenhouse as well as the baby tortoises on the chelonian stand which were as small as a 50p piece. 

The greenhouse where our red eared terrapins live

Terrapins basking under the ultra violet lamp

Baby tortoises as small as a 50p piece

We had a visit from the past on the Sunday when the Dutchman Gerald Boleons called to see us. He usually wears clogs and it must be around 10 years since we have seen him. Madder than ever with dyed red hair, he hasn’t changed! Over the years he has raised over 1 million pounds for children and now goes by the name of Loopy the clown. He visits Britain every year raising money for children over here and Holland as well.

Loopy the Clown - Gerald Boelens

Once seen never forgotten !!

We also had a pet service on the Sunday afternoon which was lovely with the ponies, birds of prey, rabbit and dogs all attending. Reverend Walsh kindly took the service and all the pets behaved except a young puppy who joined in the singing! Hopefully we shall do it again next year.

The pet service was enjoyed by all

Plastic netting in gardens can be so dangerous

Lisa had to anaesthetise a young hedgehog casualty that had been caught up in netting in a garden. People do not realise just how dangerous netting can be to wildlife. Stretched over fruit or vegetables, unless kept a good 8 inches from the ground, this netting can prove fatal to hedgehogs.

 You can see from the photograph just how entangled this little mite was and also, if you look closely, you can see the flies eggs that would soon have become maggots. It was a lucky escape for this juvenile hedgehog.

 The tiny hedgehog babies that the staff and volunteers have been looking after have grown and most are now taking solids although still taking small milk feeds just to support them until they are completely weaned.

Hoglet still having top up feeds

Hoglets learning to eat solids

We should certainly have enough hedgehogs to show people at our next open weekend at the end of July which is Hedgehog and Tortoise Weekend. I think everyone loves hedeghogs !

 Late caller last night for an injured duck – turned out to be a young Herring Gull that must have come off the roof and could still not fly! Anyway thanks to the girls for bringing it in, may people wouldn’t have bothered.