I saw Henry leave the paved area about ten minutes before I let Bobby out for his last patrol of his estate thinking that all would be clear but I did take a camera with me just in case.... Once outside I could see a dark shape in the middle of the lawn and there was Bobby, nose to the ground, following the scent trail. In no time at all he had found the Hedgehog.
What are you doing over here?
I wonder ... what is the best way to investigate this strange creature?
I know. I'll give it a good sniff. Ouch!
Once Bobby had said hello I called him away and we left Henry in peace to carry on investigating the rest of the garden.
For several months I have toyed with the idea of buying a Hedgehog house and I finally got 'Round Tuit'. It arrived speedily by courier from Concept Wildlife (though actually bought on eBay) and looks very well made.
I have chosen one with a hinged roof for two reasons.
1) ease of cleaning out.
2) easy, (I hope) to fit a small camera inside.
As soon as I had photographed it I treated the outside with animal friendly wood preservative. The next job being to try out a camera with some Infra Red lighting.
A number of questions - possibly because there are no 'hoggies' out here - What is there preferred 'home' in the wild? - Why would they use the one you show in the photo rather than whereever they are now? - How will you coax them in? Maybe you could do another post for folks like me with little or no experience of hedgehogs?
ReplyDeleteBrilliant John, I do hope you get to see some activity in your new home for the hogs! It looks good. I've yet to capture any in mine so far but am ever hopeful :-D
ReplyDeleteLove the pics of Bobby and Henry. Have a great weekend :-D
Bobby and Henry seem to get on quite well. It's good to see them together to show size comparison. The house looks cozy ~ what are the dimensions? I'm wondering how small your camera would have to be, and wouldn't it just see a mass of hedgehog prickles? Looking forward to see what happens. I hope 'Hope' hasn't taken up residence with Elaine, although Hope is pretty irresistible!
ReplyDeleteHi Mick. Good questions. As I prepare and position the Hedgehog house I will try to answer them. On investigation I was surprised how few areas of the world do not have hedgehogs or their relatives, Australia bring among them though New Zealand does.
ReplyDeleteHi Glo. It is difficult judging the size of an animal or bird from a photograph. The house is 27 inches long, 16 inches wide and 13 inches high to the top of the roof, big enough I hope for a couple of hogs and their brood.
ReplyDeleteFor that sort of thing I use what is called a board camera. These days they are very small. Modern colour cameras can be as small as a one inch cube. The black and white ones I have are about one and a half inches across. They can have different lenses for different locations so I will need a fairly wide angle one like those in bird nest boxes.
I don't think Elaine will keep Hope any longer than she needs as she gets so many to look after.
Hi Shirl. The makers recommend putting dried leaves in the home. I was thinking, some hopes this time of year, but looking around while out walkies this morning and spotted some. As with the bird nest boxes all one can do is provide the residence and hope someone will show interest.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying for ages to capture Bobby with a Hedgehog so was pleased to finally achieve it.
That hedgepig footage is great and lovely to see that dog-hog interaction. I have a friend (fenphotos.co.uk) whose hedgehog house was occupied last winter, with both a hedgehog and a mouse. Fingers crossed you get some tenants
ReplyDeleteThank you, Silverpebble. I have been trying for a while to get Bobby and Henry in shot together and finally the opportunity arose.
ReplyDeleteI can provide the house but, of course, it can be anybody's guess what, if anything, takes a fancy to it.
Gosh, I didn't realize the house was so big ~ that's exciting to think of the possibility of a family living there. I also didn't realize that a camera could be so small! Amazing! I hope that the house you offer is recognized by the hedgehog world as a haven. The hedgehogs know your garden already as a food source, and they'd have a guard dog to boot. :)
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, Henry enjoyed that water, he really guzzled it! Great pics of Inspector Bobby sniffing out the evidence ;) It will be interesting to see who takes up residence in the new house. The only things that live in my Toad house are snails which is a bit ironic I think!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed those shots of Bobby and Henry. The second one looks like he's guarding him. :)
ReplyDeleteHope you get some success with the new 'home.'
He always does Jan. I think scoffing dried mealworms must be thirsty work.
ReplyDeleteBobby get impatient every night waiting to investigate. He looks so disappointed when there is no sign of a hedgehog.
I spent most of the day pottering and testing cameras and lighting for the hog house. Won't be long before it is put in place and then it will be a case of wait and see.
I didn't know you had a Toad house. In fact I didn't know there was such a thing until now.
Hi Keith. Yes it does look as though he is on guard!
ReplyDeleteI can but provide the des res and see what takes a fancy to it.
Terrific photos as ever... but.. er... is that an alligator I see in your back garden in Lincolnshire?
ReplyDeleteHi Matron. Thank you. Ah ... you spotted Charlie the crocodile - he guards the pond from marauding Herons :)
ReplyDeleteCool!! I hope the camera fits--and you get a tenant soon!
ReplyDeleteOh Wow John...Ahhhh I'm excited won't that be totaly great if your can get some images from inside the house. Oh and the house is great!! (Better than mine accually LOL) Ahhh sitting here having my first morning Sunday coffee John and of course you post on my favorite subject your little Hedgehogs. Where is Hope I wonder???
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly. Yes it looks as though I have found a camera to fit.
ReplyDeleteHi Crista. I try not to get too hopeful as I haven't had a lot of luck with bird nest boxes but I just have to give it a whirl.
ReplyDeleteHope is still with Elaine. She did say it would be at least a week and it is only nine days - though it feels like a month.
I've thought about getting one of those hedgehog houses, but having a wander around our immediate neighbourhood reveals plenty of hedgehog-friendly places to go, so I figure they are OK for nesting places locally.
ReplyDeleteI haven't definitely decided against one though. The idea of having a cam inside is definitely intriguing.
Hi G L W. I have yet to find out whether any hog will be interested but it was something I have been itching to do for quite a while. At least with the camera I can check without disturbing anything.
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