Just saved a hedgehog

First one I've seen this year! It was rooting around in the gated area outside our house, but our neighbour is probably going to drive his van in soon, so we didn't want the little guy to get run over.

It was right next to a hole in the fence, so I think he'd been rooting around on the other side of the fence, where it was dark under the bushes, and fallen out. He was very small and light, so I think he may have been searching around for food to fatten up after hibernation - that or looking for a mate.

Mum held Dempsey while I went over and lifted him back through the hole in the fence. The little devil grabbed hold of a stick as I lifted him, so I had to try to get rid of that before he could fit into the hole!

Such a sweet little guy

you need to come out with me on a night shift!

It's a proper nature trail, almost every night we see, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, rats, cats, frogs.......

We get similar stuff during the night, as we live next to allotments! It's lovely during dusk and dawn, when all the more elusive animals are out!

There are frogs in our garden, which Dempsey loves, as well as the occasional newt. Foxes are always up and down through gardens and the badgers usually stick to the nearby park area.

Awwww we do get to see so much it's awesome, there's always one badger we see at a certain call always doing his same route at the same time and he is a BEAST

I love badgers! There are active sets not far from us, but we don't really go down there anymore. Too many irresponsible dog owners

There is just something about hedgehogs!  

They're amazing animals! There's a hedgehog rescue centre not far from us, which is hopefully where I'll get my hedgehogs from in the future!

I do love badgers! but this one we've called Bob is MASSIVE honestly never seen one so big!

I'm a sucker for wildlife. I like nothing better than sitting quietly, night or day, watching whatever's around....birds, mice, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs. Even bees, wasps, butterflies etc - I love watching them!

ella wrote:you need to come out with me on a night shift!

It's a proper nature trail, almost every night we see, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, rats, cats, frogs.......

Next time I'm in Yorkshire, expect a visit!

I too watch wildlife, but I haven't seen a hedgehog or frog for years, and have never seen a live badger (only squished ones on the roads   )

ella wrote:I do love badgers! but this one we've called Bob is MASSIVE honestly never seen one so big!

Bob the Badger? I like it!

Caryll wrote:I'm a sucker for wildlife. I like nothing better than sitting quietly, night or day, watching whatever's around....birds, mice, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs. Even bees, wasps, butterflies etc - I love watching them!

ella wrote:you need to come out with me on a night shift!

It's a proper nature trail, almost every night we see, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, rats, cats, frogs.......

Next time I'm in Yorkshire, expect a visit!

Same here! I love watching nature

LyndaW wrote:I too watch wildlife, but I haven't seen a hedgehog or frog for years, and have never seen a live badger (only squished ones on the roads   )

Maybe you could do a quick Google search for your area, to see where badgers have been spotted!

Badgers are fascinating. They waddle around as though they're really cumbersome. But if something startles them, they can move at the speed of light! They also make really weird noises!

Aww. It's been years since I last saw a wee hedgie   I live in a town centre beside a main road. The wildlife here has two legs  

I love it when they run!

And not as clean as the four-legged wildlife, I imagine!

 um, no and it's best to keep a safe distance from them, they can be quite unpredictable   

I've never seen a badger

Caryll wrote:I'm a sucker for wildlife. I like nothing better than sitting quietly, night or day, watching whatever's around....birds, mice, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs. Even bees, wasps, butterflies etc - I love watching them!

ella wrote:you need to come out with me on a night shift!

It's a proper nature trail, almost every night we see, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, rats, cats, frogs.......

Next time I'm in Yorkshire, expect a visit!

I'll be waiting!

Eleanor wrote:The little devil grabbed hold of a stick as I lifted him, so I had to try to get rid of that before he could fit into the hole!

That made me laugh!

Good on you for not just turning your back x

Caroline wrote: um, no and it's best to keep a safe distance from them, they can be quite unpredictable   

I've never seen a badger

I also heard they can release toxic gasses from their rear ends when disturbed.

You should come down here in the spring and summer!

ella wrote:

Caryll wrote:I'm a sucker for wildlife. I like nothing better than sitting quietly, night or day, watching whatever's around....birds, mice, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs. Even bees, wasps, butterflies etc - I love watching them!

ella wrote:you need to come out with me on a night shift!

It's a proper nature trail, almost every night we see, foxes, badgers, hedgehogs, rats, cats, frogs.......

Next time I'm in Yorkshire, expect a visit!

I'll be waiting!

      

Shisa wrote:

Eleanor wrote:The little devil grabbed hold of a stick as I lifted him, so I had to try to get rid of that before he could fit into the hole!

That made me laugh!

Good on you for not just turning your back x

I couldn't have walked away from him He wasn't in any immediate danger, but I didn't want to come back later to find that he'd been hit by a van.

Unfortunately, there was also a pigeon out there with a damaged wing. As distressing as it was, there was nothing that could be done, other than to shoo it under the gate into our neighbour's enclosed garden, in hopes that it could rest and recover. The RSPCA would never come out for a bird unless it's something like a swan and vets would only put it straight to sleep. Couldn't take it in, as it's a wild animal and that could ruin any and all chances of survival. Taking it in would also mean carrying the bird, which would have likely injured the wing further in the process of catching it.

I'm hoping it makes a recovery though!