Tuesday 22 February 2011

Was it Henry or Honey

... or something else?  At bedtime three nights ago Bobby was dashing round the garden following a scent he had picked up. Nothing was to be seen and I assumed it had been an unwelcome four legged furry nocturnal visitor. Nothing was noticed the following night. Last night at bedtime Bobby made a dash across the lawn to the ground feeder. At first I couldn't make out anything but as my eyes became accustomed to the torchlight I made out the unmistakable shape of a large Hedgehog. Needless to say I rushed in to grab a camera but by the time I returned it had vanished.

To say the least I was surprised to see a Hedgehog at this time of year, especially as temperatures have been around 3C for nearly a week. They do occasionally wake from hibernation on warm days. I wonder whether Bobby had disturbed it. There have been occasions when I have wondered if something was nesting under one of my hedges as every so often Bobby would gently creep under wagging his tail like mad.

Fortunately I had been putting out some bird food, including kibbled peanut, at night ready for the early birds so I guess that was what hedgie was eating. At least it had access to a reasonable protein diet as there won't be many beetles around for it to eat at this time of year. Also it will be able to get access to water as I have seen Hedgehogs climb up to the pond waterfall in the past.

I had though I had lost all the Hedgehogs when the three regulars stopped visiting somewhere around late August last year. Far too early to have started hibernation. It was great to see I could possibly have a resident.

10 comments:

  1. That is certainly very early for hedgehogs John.

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  2. Let's hope he gets back to sleep ok, and continues his winter rest John.
    A great garden resident to have.

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  3. Hi John, just followed you from Roy`s blog and am very pleased that I did!
    We have had 4 Hedgehogs visiting in the past 3 years, but as yet there has been no sign of them this year, mind you it is a bit early! I hope yours gets back to sleep and returns in the spring.
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  4. It is Roy. At least it seems to be sleeping during the day and can find food if it wakes up.

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  5. It's always nice to have one or more about Keith. I put out some crushed unsalted peanuts in case it goes walkabout again tonight.

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  6. Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment John. As you say it is a bit early for one to be up and about so I have made sure it can find some food.

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  7. Very interesting ~ nice if it is a resident. As spring approaches, perhaps you'll see more of H and will be able to confirm its living quarters. Perhaps this one's name is Harbinger (of spring).

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  8. You are lucky to see Hedgehogs John, they used to visit my garden regularly but I haven't seen evidence of any for a few years now.

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  9. Hello Glo. By the latest pictures this seems to be the hog with one eye I saw last year. I had a look at the hedgehog house camera but nothing there.

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  10. Hello Jan. I was very surprised to see a Hedgehog as those last year had vanished so early.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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