One of my favourite visitors to my Garden, and also one of my most valuable allies, is the Hedgehog. I’ve filmed upto five visiting at any one time. These little nocturnal mammals help me to keep the slug population at bay, which protects the plants I grow.
I feed them regularly too, with specialist Hedgehog bicuits, and have even created habitats and “Hog Runs” around the garden. This enables them to freely move from my garden to the neighbours and back quite easily. One of my Favourite Hedgehogs (although they all are) I’ve called “Sluggsy Malone” as he is a real slug warrior. He had a large tick on his forehead, which later dropped off. He also has a scar on his face, either a strimmer or a fight wound. Either way he’s huge, but doesn’t bully the other Hogs.
Many a time I have seen him chomping away on big slugs, which I know Hedgehogs love. One thing I didn’t know about Hedgehogs is they are also partial to the odd piece of Fruit.
I have no problem with the hogs having their fill from the fruit that drops off my own fruit tree’s and shrubs. They provide me with a natural pest control service so it’s only fair.
Did you know the British Hedgehog is on the danger red list for extinction! So they need all the help they can get. I get lots of spare timber from my job in construction. So I also build habitats for the little chaps.
Fretsawing a skill I learned from my Father. 
Dividing wall to keep the heat in 
Good place for hibernation 
Finished item
A bit of plywood, roofing felt and a bit of patience and voila, a Hog home fit for a Prince.
We can all play our part in helping our Hedgehogs survive. Make sure they have plenty of places to retreat to, clean water (preferrably rain water). And a good supply of nutritional food. Hog habitats are easy to make and it gives the little chaps and chappesses a good chance in life.
Not a Hedgehog but this little chap needed help too. 
These two are inseparable and arrive almost the same time. Named Becky & Shannon after the cleaning girls at work. 
“Sluggsy Malone” – He’s Huge 
Every night from Summer onwards… Any noise and they head for shelter… It’s like Musical Chairs 
Good place to hide
If you see the public or councils strimming long grass, ask them to do a good survey of the grass and foliage first. Just to make sure there are no Hedgehogs hiding or sleeping. Strimmer injuries on Hedgehogs are horrific. Another good point is, if you want to celebrate Guy Fawkes on the 5th of November. Build your bonfire up an hour before you light it. It’s a nice gesture, doesn’t take long, and you have less chance of a Hedgehog getting into the firewood.
We used to make a wall of timber around our Bonfire that Hogs couldn’t get over. Just a thought !
IMPORTANT: Hedgehogs are primarily nocturnal creatures. If you see one out during the day, it may be stressed or unhealthy. Also, if you see a small Hedgehog in Autumn there’s a good chance that it hasn’t gained enough weight to survive hibernation. If you want to help our diminishing Hedgehog population, please educate yourself and your children. The link below is the British Hedghog Preservation Society, it will provide you with all the information you’ll require and also keep you in touch with local rescue centres.
https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk
Please help our little chaps, they are one of childrens favourite book characters.