Hibernating Hedgehog In The Middle Of My Lawn.

Hibernating Hedgehog In The Middle Of My Lawn.

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longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Sunday 26th August 2012
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I've been doing some work in the garden ( new slabbed area, steps etc) and I've been using a plastic tarpauline thing to keep the rain off the slabs.

Anyway, due to my laziness, the tarp has ended up in a pile in the middle of the lawn and has been there for a week or so. Today I went to fold it up and put it away, but when I lifted it from the lawn I found a hedgehog hibernating beneath it.
I say hibernating as it is in a swirled nest of grass that the 'net says is sybolic of hibernation.

I don't really fancy leaving the tarp in a pile in the middle of the lawn until next march, so what do I do?

Wait and see if it clears off if the weather improves, build it a nest box in the corner of the garden and try to put it in it?

Anyone with any experience they'd like to share.

Thanks.

longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Sunday 26th August 2012
quotequote all
Thanks for the link Sue.
I phoned them this morning but there was no reply so I've e-mailed them and am waiting for a reply.

I went and checked on him/her this morning and the grass swirl has got bigger. I think it's starting to feel at home.

longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Sunday 26th August 2012
quotequote all
Puggit said:
Hibernating in mid summer!?
Yeah, go figure.
Apparently they can start very early in the year.

longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Monday 27th August 2012
quotequote all
Hedgehog has gone. Well, from it's nest anyway.
Lets hope it was just a temporary home.

I've put the tarp away so it won't make another nest under there but I did leave the greenhouse door open last night.rolleyes

Half of the greenhouse is full of planks of wood which I intend to cut up to make starter wood for the log burner, so it looks like I may have to play a Kerplunk / pick up sticks sort of game when removing it just incase the hedgehog has made a nest under the pile now.

longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Friday 31st August 2012
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Quick update for anyone who is interested.
A few days ago I emptied all of the wood out of the greenhouse and no signs of hog were found.

Just a few minutes ago, hog was seen wandering around the garden so alternative digs have been found (probably under the shed.)

Nice to know he's ok and enjoying the garden.

longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Monday 10th September 2012
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Final update.
Hedgehog seems to have made itself comfortable under one of the log stores and can be heard if not seen every night having a root about in the graden which is very nice.

The hedgehog preservation society never bothered to reply to my e-mail which is disappointing to be honest.

longshot

Original Poster:

3,286 posts

200 months

Monday 10th September 2012
quotequote all
Hedgehog food. What will they think of next.

Yeah, it's nice having it around but it is free to come and go as it pleases.
I leave a stainless steel bowl of water at the top of the garden for local cats etc to have a drink of water from and it certainly makes a racket when it overturns that.