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When was the last time you saw a hedgehog?

Tom Marshall

Hedgehogs as we know them today have lived here for at least half a million years. Now in drastic decline, they’re facing some serious challenges, particularly in rural areas. However, they are faring better in urban communities, and you’ll be pleased to hear that residents, community groups and organisations across Bristol are working to bring them back - making sure that everyone, once again, will be delighted by the ‘snuffle shuffle’ of hedgehogs in their neighbourhood.
Images of hedgehogs taken by the BS3 Hedgehog Project

BS3 Hedgehog Project

Making your own garden hedgehog-friendly is brilliant, but we need to do more. We need to work together as a community, with our neighbours, friends and family. If a hedgehog garden can make a difference for local wildlife, just imagination the transformation a hedgehog friendly street could make – or even a whole hedgehog friendly community!

To support them to thrive we need to get a picture of where they are - that’s where you come in. Just in time for Hedgehog Awareness Week (1 – 7 May), we’re launching a special project on the BIG Hedgehog Map – a national map where you can upload your hedgehog sightings. The data gathered through this map will be shared for analysis to help guide conservation action in the region and across the UK.

How to map a hedgehog on the hedgehog map:

  1. Visit www.bighedgehogmap.org
  2. Under the map, click/tap on “I’ve seen a hedgehog!”
  3. Enter your name and email address
  4. Log your hedgehog location on the map
  5. Select answers for the following
  • Is the hedgehog alive, dead or roadkill?
  • Did you see the hedgehog today?
  • Are you part of a regional hedgehog project linked to the Big Hedgehog Map? Yes, you are! Please select ‘Avon Wildlife Trust’

 

You are now a hedgehog hero! What you share on the map will be sent to our local environmental records centre, feeding into conservation action and nature recovery plans for the area.

Do you want to take more action for hedgehogs? Here are some top tips for helping out a hog near you:

  • Join your local hedgehog group – In there are groups for BS3, BS4, BS8, BS13, BS16, visit www.bristolwildlifegroups.wordpress.com/hedgehogs/ to find out more
  • Become a hedgehog champion in your own community and share how people can take action for hedgehogs on their doorstep
  • Garden for hedgehogs: www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk
  • Litter pick, check before strimming, and inspire others to do the same – including your local council and community grounds people
  • Visit residents from the BS3 Hedgehog Project on 16th May 6.30pm, or 17th May 10.30am, at the Tobacco Factory, where they’ll be discussing hedgehog plans for the spring and summer, as well as sharing tips on how to be more hedgehog friendly

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