Golden Hedgehogs… NEWS
Making small changes which make a big difference for hedgehog survival. From small steps to big results, our community can be the reason hedgehogs flourish.
ROUNALL WOOD NEXT STEPS…
Communiy Consultation – Saturday 31st Oct
Dalbeattie Town Hall : 1pm to 3pm
The Woodland Management Plan is now available to share the highlights and next steps for your approval and feedback. The detailed plan sets out a 10 year framework for its restoration and management and will be available online after the event for your information / reference. Everyone is welcome so please do come along and Golden Hedgehog volunteers will be available to discuss the detail. This is your community wood and your views matter.
Click HERE for more information.
FEEDING HEDGEHOGS…
Hedgehogs really benefit from extra food, using it as a supplement to their natural diet especially as they approach hibernation. It’s best to protect food under cover from the weather and other animals including domestic pets. Click HERE for how to make a simple feeding station.
Meaty cat or dog food (not fish) are both suitable, as is manufactured hedgehog food (preferably moist), whichever is most affordable. Water can also be scarce at certain times of the year and is the only thing you should give them to drink. Wash the food and water bowls daily with hot, soapy water, then rinse them thoroughly.
Traditionally, it was thought that feeding hedgehogs throughout the winter could delay their hibernation and cause them harm. However, guidance on this matter has now changed, with experts advising people to continue feeding hedgehogs as long as they’re around to eat.
CHOP AND DROP…
We know that leaving your garden wild to support all wildlife over winter is extremely beneficial. How often can you ‘do more by doing less’. So if you really must do some garden tidying consider chop and drop as the way to go
Chop and drop is a great way to achieve more in your garden by actually doing less. This combined composting and mulching technique can save effort, benefit your soil and help wildlife – here’s how it works and why you should try it in your garden.
Chop and drop does exactly what it says on the tin. When the old growth of herbaceous perennials is cut back, instead of taking all the material away, you simply cut the trimmings up into small pieces and let them lie in place. These form a layer that covers the soil around the plants and decomposes in situ. With benefits for wildlife and the health of your soil.
CHECK BEFORE STRIMMING…
Hedgehogs will not run away from the sound of a mower
or strimmer. The same applies for any garden machinery.
Check before you cut and avoid causing horrific injuries or death.
If you do find a hedgehog then move slowly and calmly. Pick it up with gardening gloves, along with any nesting material it may have been sitting in, and place it in a cardboard box lined with newspaper. Relocate the box to a safe location and release the hedgehog under a bush or log pile.
Click HERE for more information, hints and tips and things that you can do to help hedgehogs in your garden..
BONFIRE DANGERS…
Follow the three point plan to keep hedgehogs safe:
Stop: Ask yourself if you really need to host a private bonfire. Consider attending an organized public community display instead to reduce the total number of burn piles
Move: Do not build your bonfire pile days or weeks in advance, as log piles look like ideal hibernating spots to hedgehogs. Only construct the pile on the exact day you plan to light it, and move all materials to a brand-new, clear site just before burning.
Check: Thoroughly inspect the entire pile before lighting. Shine a torch inside and gently lift sections using a pole or broom. Never use a sharp fork or spade, which can injure hidden animals. Listen closely for a characteristic “huffing” or hissing sound. Always light the bonfire from one side only to give any missed animals an escape route
EXTENDED HOT WEATHER…
Hedgehogs and their young hoglets are struggling to stay hydrated following weeks of hot weather. The ground is very dry, making it hard to find their usual food such as beetles and worms, and natural sources of water are in short supply. You can help by providing daily fresh water and supplementary food. Shallow bowls should be used and cleaned regularly. Click HERE for more information.
Being nocturnal animals, they shouldn’t be out in daylight, but in this extreme heat, they may leave their nest when it gets too warm. A hedgehog or hoglet out in the day is a warning sign. Other warning signs include finding a hedgehog lying on the floor or seeing flies buzzing around it. Click HERE for how to help report them to animal rescue centre. Thank you.
ANNIVERSARY NEWS…
Almost one year ago Golden Hedgehogs was just an idea… so we thought you’d appreciate an update on progress and future plans to help hedgehogs and wildlife thrive.
Golden Hedgehogs is about more than protecting one much-loved species. It’s about inspiring our community to care for nature on our doorstep. By making simple wildlife-friendly changes in our gardens and local green spaces, together we’re creating safer habitats for hedgehogs, restoring biodiversity and building a greener, healthier environment for future generations in Dalbeattie. Every garden, every action and every person can help make a lasting difference. Together, we’re proving that when people care for nature, nature gives something back to us all. Click HERE for the update.
WILD ABOUT WILDLIFE…
Make your garden wild about wildlife by coming along to our talk about creating a wildlife garden, from the experts at South West Scotland Information Centre.
Gardens are vital refuges both for hedgehogs and all wildlife. Discover simple, practical ways to make your outdoor space more welcoming to nature. Whether you have a window box or balcony, small courtyard garden or country estate, every small change can make a big difference to help wildlife thrive.
Saturday 3rd October 1pm – Rocks & Wheels (Wee Hoose), Dalbeattie. Free to attend / donations welcome. Refreshements provided. There will be an opportunity to ask questions to help with your gardening endeavours.
ROUNALL WOOD FEEDBACK…
We plan to restore Rounall Wood by repairing damaged ecosystems and creating a richer, more biodiverse landscape that can better support wildlife and help tackle climate change. The initial consultation and feedback process is now complete.
Your Community Consultation Feedback and next steps were presented on 25th July where there was an opportunity for discussion with Golden Hedgehog volunteers. If you were unable to attend then full details can be found HERE.
In short, we are funding an Urban Woodland Management Plan which will set out how Rounall Wood can be restored with appropriate, professional stewardship over the next five years. This will be completed in September and we will again share this with our community for feedback.
HOGLETS OUT AND ABOUT …
It’s finally time for hoglet season, and we couldn’t be happier. The pitter patter of tiny feet will be gracing our gardens as hoglets prepare to leave the nest for the first time with mum.
They’re born pink and blind and spend the first weeks of life safely in the nest, feeding on their mother’s milk. At around four weeks old, they’ll start to join mum on trips out of the nest.
As much as you may be curious, it’s vital to avoid checking nests or hedgehog houses in your garden. Mothers are particularly susceptible to disturbance during this time and may even abandon the nest if they feel threatened. Be patient and hopefully you’ll see them when hoglets start venturing out with mum.
STOP RATS EATING FOOD …
A small saucer over the food bowl will be knocked off by hedgehogs, but not rats, so give that a go. Rats prefer dry food so adding some water to the hedgehog food might help deter them. Another tip is that rats are neophobic (they fear change), so moving the feeding station round the garden and putting the food out at different times should help (and also helps reduce agression between hedgehogs). If the hedgehogs visit at the same time each evening, you could leave the food out for a couple of hours, rather than all night.
The best way to help hedgehogs during periods of intense heat is by ensuring there are multiple shallow dishes of clean, fresh water around the garden. This simple action will benefit not only hedgehogs but other garden wildlife too. Keep dishes topped up, and make sure to clean them daily to prevent the spread of disease.
WALKING EXTRA MILES…
One local resident Brownie has chosen Golden Hedgehogs as their charity to earn their charities interest badge.
Recognising that hedgehogs can roam up to 3km each night, she decided to ‘go the extra mile(s)’ and walk the new 3km woodland trail in Town Wood, three times! This inspirational activity has meant an amazing £250 was raised to help hedgehogs thrive. You can see the highlights of her walk on a video (with help from her Dad) by clicking here.
The message is clear that we should make space for hedgehogs to get through into our gardens creating a hedgehog highway.
By encouraging little legs, to take big steps, will make a big difference for hedgehog survival and details of the route can be found here.
HOGLET HOMES READY …
Newly built hedgehog houses are now available in stock at the Initiative shop priced only £25. Now is the perfect time to introduce a house into a wild patch of your garden to encourage hedgehogs to safely rear their hoglets. They make day time nests for resting, sleeping, breeding and rearing young in during summer.
Scottish Wildlife approved design, using FSC certified hardwood ply with two coats of water based exterior protection. Includes a set-up guide to encourage hedgehog usage.
See more hedgehog habitat information here.
DALBEATTIE SCOUTS …
The 1st Dalbeattie Scouts community project is to focus on hedgehogs which are so precious and important to our town. They feature on our Coat of Arms so this project provides homes for these highly endangered animals and means a whole lot to the scouts.
You too can build a hedgehog house for your garden and a template can be found here.
There are lots of other no-cost opportunities and actvities to help hedgehogs within the Golden Hedghogs pages so please do take a look. Making small changes make a big difference for hedgehog survival. From small steps to big results, our community can be the reason hedgehogs flourish.
FREE HIGHWAY SIGN…
If you plan to help hedghgogs access your garden then you can claim a free HEDGEHOG HIGHWAY sign (RRP£5).
Click here for details of how to create a hedgehog highway and link the gardens in your neighbourhood to help hedgehogs.
A free ‘Hedgehog Highway’ sign is available if you email a photo of your newly created access hole in your boundary and record this on The BIG Hedgehog Map.
Please also check with your neighbours in your area to ensure hedgehgogs can access those as well to provide a safe wildlife corridor. Thank you.
WAKING HEDGEHOGS…
Hedgehogs are one of the few mammals that are true hibernators. During hibernation hedgehogs are not really asleep, instead they drop their body temperature to match their surroundings and enter a state of torpor. This allows them to save a lot of energy but slows down all other bodily functions making normal activity impossible.
Make sure they aren’t disturbed. Be mindful if you need to clear your garden or shed as there may be a hidden hedgehog. You can expect hedgeghogs to emerge from March onwards.
Click here for more ideas on how to help hedgehogs thrive.
HARMFUL CHEMICALS …
Lawn treatments reduce worm populations which are a big part of a hedghog’s diet. Pesticides, insecticides and slug pellets are toxic and reduce hedgehogs’ creepy crawly food. They are all unnecessary in a healthy, well-managed garden. Hedgehogs make for excellent pest control and organic veg patch will provide food for hedgehogs such as beetles and caterpillars, as well as providing food for you. Not only can these harm hedgehogs but also damage their food chain. Use organic methods instead.
To learn more about wildlife friendly gardening click here.
HELP WITH FEEDING …
Hedgehogs will begin to emerge from hibernation, having potentially lost a third of their body weight, over winter. This is the perfect time to start putting out supplementary food and water as they will be extremely hungry.
Cleanliness and hygiene at feeding stations is extremely important. Regularly wash out bowls and clean feeding areas.
When you are putting out food for hedgehogs, you can replicate the hedgehog’s natural diet by providing any combination of meat-based dog and cat food, cat biscuits or hedgehog food (avoid grains, nuts, seeds and cereals as hedgehogs, being insectivorous, don’t eat those).
HEDGEHOG WALK…
Hedgehogs are struggling because our property fences and walls are becoming more and more secure, reducing the amount of land available for them to forage for food and shelter. During their active season, hedgehogs roam up to 3km each night, so it’s critical that they can access a wide range of gardens.
Why not enjoy a fun and family-friendly fundraising challenge showing just how far hedgehogs can travel in a single night. Walking in the beautiful surroundings of Town Wood, you will also find golden hedgehogs along your sponsored journey. Encouraging little legs in our community, to take big steps, will make a big difference for hedgehog survival.
Click here for details of the sponsored walk.
RESTORING ROUNALL …
Rounall Wood is a wonderful community asset enjoyed by local residents, the wider community, visitors to Dalbeattie and our local wildlife.
However ongoing restoration is required to maintain and maximise the wood’s potential, for wildlife to flourish and to enhance its natural beauty.
We propose to help restore the natural habitat and we’d love to hear your thoughts to help shape the future of Rounall Wood. This is your community wood and your views matter.
Come along to see the proposal details at the DCI office on 71 High Street and complete a feedback form.
Alternatively you can view details online and provide feedback here. Survey avalable until 30th June.
WALKING EXTRA MILES…
One local resident Brownie has chosen Golden Hedgehogs as their charity to earn their charities interest badge.
Recognising that hedgehogs can roam up to 3km each night, she decided to ‘go the extra mile(s)’ and walk the new 3km woodland trail in Town Wood, three times! This inspirational activity has meant an amazing £250 was raised to help hedgehogs thrive. You can see the highlights of her walk on a video (with help from her Dad) by clicking here.
The message is clear that we should make space for hedgehogs to get through into our gardens creating a hedgehog highway.
By encouraging little legs, to take big steps, will make a big difference for hedgehog survival and details of the route can be found here.