Been a very long while since i got a photo
Of a hedgehog in my garden. Simply
because they stopped coming through no fault of my own.

Hopefully they will be a regular feature again. Though there is not much of this season left. Hopefully will have next season to look forward to.

Been A While

After what has been a trying couple of months i had a visitor tonight. Was a delight to see that a prickly friend has made a most welcome return. Judging by the size of it would say just a couple of years old. May even be just over a year old.

This is the hedgehog that uses the birdbath feeder.

Knows exactly where to go when it comes into the garden. The chicken and mince that it gets seem to be a firm favourite.

Standoff at the OK lodge

Came back from a walk with the dog, and could hear quite loud snuffling noises. Knew in an instant that something was going on down at the lodge.

Went indoors and opened the kitchen window to look out. And there it was unfolding in front of my eyes. The hedgehog that uses the lodge has taken an exception to another that may have taken a fancy to it. Has been going on for over an hour now. No doubt will be resolved in their own time.

I had seen this hedgehog come into the garden, and then lost sight of it. Shone a small torch in the under birdbath feeder and there it was. Well the rear end. Must have known there was some nice juicy chicken in there.

Was waiting for the hedgehog to finish eating its chicken, to get a photo of it on its way out. My patience was rewarded with this photo. This is the under birdbath feeder. Just right for a hedgehog and to small for a cat.

This one came in just after the first one above. Had a good feed of mealworms, then went over to have a drink of water. Did not stay long, as it was quite wet no doubt will be a good night for natural food.

This charming hedgehog came in for food. Watched it for a while sniffing at the food that was on offer. Did not eat anything but had a good drink.

Took another last look out and there was the resident hedgehog. Was up on the garden this time, having supper at the birdbath feeder. In the tray was mealworms, blitzed peanuts and blitzed sunflower hearts.

An interesting night tonight. After the resident hedgehog had been out for food another one called. Could not get a photo as it got spooked and left the garden.

Had a last look out before i went to bed and there feeding was this little one. Got the camera but a car had made it try and run for cover. Managed to get this photo before it left.

Considering how small it was, it has made me wonder if it is last years Tiny. Have compared photos and they look very much alike.

Tonight i managed to get a photo of the resident hedgehog that has moved into the lodge. waited for it to go farther along the path to the feeder.

Lucky that the hedgehog looked up at me. Gave me a nice chance to photograph its face.

Supper Time

After quite a wait, the hedgehog came out of the lodge for supper. Must have been around 23:15.

Clearly visible is the tippex mark that i gave it, just to keep tabs on the visitors. Not noticible until the photo is taken with flash.

Feeding On Mealworms

Looked out at 22:30 and low and behold ahedgehog was having a feed . Had its back to me to begin with, but it did oblige by turning its head just enough to get this photo.

By The Water Bowl

Lucky for me the hedgehog decided to come back for another photo shoot.

Was hoping it would take a drink but never did. Was more interested in getting by.

Was It Tiny

Started hedgehog watch tonight at about 21:15. Was hoping that the little mouse might appear as well.
Was not until about 23:00 that one appeared. And the good news is that it came out of the lodge. Was not a large one, in fact rather on the small side.

Could this one be Tiny that has taken up residence in the lodge. Would certainly have know it was there, as it was a very regular visitor from just a couple of months old.

Would certainly like to think that it was. That would surely be a lovely gesture from the most followed hedgehog in 2008.

Taking A short Cut

The picture to the right shows what hedgehogs can get up to after dark.

Wanting to get down to the bottom path is a bit of a daredevil excercise. The one that made these tracks dont see any danger. Whether it actually got down or up is a different matter.

Two Visitors

Hedgehog watch was somewhat later tonight. I put out food before i took the dog out for last walk And two dishes had been eaten. Took some more food out and gave a refill.

Was not until 22:40 that i looked to see if i had any more visitors. Lucky for me one had just arrived and was having a feed. Then i noticed another approaching the garden from next door. Must say that they looked in excellent condition and were of a medium size. Hopefully will get photos in the near future.

[edit] one more came in after i had finnished here. So three visitors last night.

Stakeout

Wanting to be sure just whom is using the lodge, tonight i did a stakeout. Watched the lodge from 20:30 until 23:00. Just at the crucial moment i got distracted, and when i looked round there was a hedgehog there feeding by the lodge.

But it was not Hugo, was a lot smaller one. Could this one be the new tennant of the lodge, and if so is it a female. Looks like i will have to do another Stakeout. All will be revealed, in due coarse.

A Visitor Came

Had an early visitor last night. It was the very large one. Due to its size and i am pretty sure it is a male i have decided to call him Hugo.

I put out an extra feeding dish behind the lodge and the one that came was Hugo. I believe though not 100% sure, that it is he that has taken up residence in the lodge, but will need to confirm this.

If that is so, then the likleyhood of the patter of tiny feet being born in the lodge Could well diminish. But i want to be optomistic on this, and need to confirm just whom the tennant is.

It was 20:15 that Hugo appeared at the feeding dish.

This morning is filled with honour and privelege. Before autumn 2008 i put out a hedgehog house. Covering it in roofing felt to make it extra dry.

To my knowlege was not used during our harsh winter. But this morning was doing a spot of tidy up and happen to put my hand into the tunnel and towards the back.

One can only imagine my joy when i felt spikes. My house is being used by one of my visitors. What a privalege that it has chosen to use the facilities.

dropped In For A Bite

Was in luck tonight. This hedgehog had called in for some food. Looks to me like it was the first one that i had seen. Pity its back was to me and i did not want it to run off. Leaned out the window to get this photo.

Very Large Hedgehog

Happen to look out the window again and seen this very large one walking along the path. Dashed out with camera and it went into a corner. Just could not get over the size of it. But did not curl up which was good.

Luckily for me, the hedgehog came back an hour later. Was looking for food almost under the bay window. Threw out some mealworms to get its attention whilst i got the camera. Was able to open window and lean out to get a photo.

Visitor Tonight

Happen to look out the window tonight and seen a rather large hedgehog out in the garden 25/03/09 at approx 22:25. Went out and had a look and could see it was in good health. Unfortuately by the time i went back and set the camera up it had gone. None the less my second visit this year.

First Visitor for 2009

This is the first hedgehog to come in that i have seen, for the start of the hedgehog diary. Recorded on the 19/02/09. At approx 10pm.

Was so surprised to see it had to set up the camera and flash.

Cant tell at this point if it is one from last year. Suspect it is an adult, but because of hibernation will have lost a fair bit of weight. I did take the time to record its weight though and it came in at 480 gr. Not a great photo as it curled up very quick when i approached it. Looking forward to seeing more throughout the year.

This is an intruction to the blog i shall be doing in 2009. In it i shall be documenting the hedgehogs that come visiting to my garden. Hopefully when they come out of hibernation in the spring, will see some old friends as well as new. Last year seen the arrival of several visitors, either just now and again or at a more frequent level.

Here is a little reminder of the main characters that i was fortunate to see and photograph.

Who could forget scratchy, who was a very regular visitor to the garden. Named it so because as the photo shows was always scratching. Would walk some steps then stop for a good ole scratch.

Tiny was an instant hit not only when i first seen it. But also with others that followed its progress through 2008. I was very fortunate that mother seen fit to bring it to my garden for food. Was a very regular visitor up until hibernation in October 08. I hope that i will see it in spring 2009.

Named this one Ole Redeye, mainly because the flash gave it to him when taking the pic. He was one of two males that came in to the garden for a feed.

These are the main ones that came in. There were some others but not on a regular basis. Hopefully 2009 will bring as much enjoyment the way 2008 did.