I was a bit concerned yesterday when Hope, the young Hedgehog, appeared at 4.30 in the afternoon. Hedgehogs should not be around in daylight. She (or he) was looking round the area under the bird feeders so I put out some dried mealworms. The little one was soon tucking in and kept eating even as I set up the camcorder to do a bit of filming. The first part was filmed from the back door and Hope is partly obscured by the self sown plants. Later I moved the tripod outdoors where I could get a clear view.
Bobby was fascinated and after being told off for barking at Hope sat and watched from a distance all the time she was there.
After eating her fill she trundled off back under the fence to next door's garden. Hope looks healthy enough to me, bright eyes, coat in good condition, walking normally. I think she has been turned out of the home nest and, like all young creatures needs small amounts of food more often than the adults.
The only concern I had was that I had never seen the youngster drink but was relieved when she appeared again about 8 p.m. and had a drink from one side of the bowl of water, walked through it and trundled on her way. She came again later for more food. Both adults appeared after 10 o'clock and all had moved on by 11 when Bobby went out for his last look round his 'estate'.
If the youngster keeps appearing during the daylight hours I will have a word with the local Hedgehog Hospital and take their advice.
Your hedgehog video reminded me of a opossum. One morning I opened my window to put some seed out on a bench for the birds to eat and did it in the dark. I felt something odd and when I turned the light on there was the opossum's gleaming white teeth and pink tongue lapping up the seed as fast, almost, as it fell out of the can. You do nice work.
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How nice to see the young one so clearly in daylight. I am intrigued with the idea of a hedgehog hospital. Are there a lot of injured or sick around? Is it a place just for hedgehogs or do they care for other wildlife as well?
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Abe. I think I would have freaked out meeting the opossum.
ReplyDeleteHi Mick. There are quite a few people around the country who specialise in looking after poorly, abandoned and injured Hedgehogs.
ReplyDeleteI think the most famous is St. Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital who say they are the worlds busiest wildlife hospital. They look after all sorts of injured and abandoned wildlife.
My local one is called The Hedgehog Hospital and is only 10 miles or so away and offer a 24hr emergency service. There seem to be enough Hedgehog casualties of one sort or another to keep these places busy, especially this time of year. I think the Hedgehog is one of those animals that most people had a soft spot for.
I'm a bit behind the times in replying here, but it was lovely to see Hope in daylight ~ even though it's a bit unusual. She's probably just really smart and knows she can have breakfast, lunch and dinner if she times it right.
ReplyDeleteHo Glo. It did give a perfect filming opportunity. I haven't seen Hope for a couple of days but the hogs keep changing their routine so no doubt she will be back before long.
ReplyDeleteAh yes John, I can fully understand your worry about daytime visits. The youngster does look well though with nice clear eyes. Good to see you took the opportunity to film this visit... a lovely piece :-D
ReplyDeleteThanks Shirl. The video opportunity was one not to be missed as well as a chance to see if there was a problem with its health. The youngster visits at more 'normal' times now and continues to have a healthy appetite.
ReplyDeleteLovely video! Yes, I can understand it being of concern that she's out in the daytime but such behaviour is not unheard of. Hopefully, it's not going to be a usual pattern of behaviour.
ReplyDeleteThank you G.L.. Hope seems to pop out in daylight every so often. S/he continues to eat and drink normally and seems to be putting on weight which is the most important thing so as to have those fat reserves for the hibernation period.
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