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Hedgehogs typically hibernate from autumn to the spring…October to March but this varies depending on availability of food and temperature. They will be building up reserves of fat now to see them through the winter.

You need a separate feeding station for hedgehogs and you can put food out for hedgehogs every night. You will know when they have gone into hibernation when it stops being taken.

Ideal Food
Shop bought hedgehog food
Cat or dog biscuits
Meaty wet cat or dog food
Fresh water

Milk and bread should NOT be left out for hedgehogs.

Now is the time to check out and clean your hedgehog house if you have one…before they hibernate and after the hoglets have been weaned. Put in some dry leaves/hay.

If you would like to set one up in your garden go to the website of “The British Hedgehog Society” which gives detailed instructions how to build or create one and where to place it, design of a feeding station and lots of other interesting facts.

Of course hedgehog highways are essential linking your garden to other gardens and open spaces as they travel. An average distance travelled each night is 2km and up to 3km by males when they are searching for a mate. Leave a gap 13cm x 13cm square in your fences/hedges. If anyone has any skills that they would like to share in making hedgehog houses, bird boxes and bat boxes for future projects please get in touch with the EWEEAG.

Local contacts for Embsay With Eastby hedgehog issues:

Embsay Hogwatch
To donate, or for general advice and information contact: embsayhogwatch@gmail.com

Hedgehog Emergencies:
www.yorkshirehedgehogs
www.ashlandsvets.co.uk/branches/skipton-surgery
www.kingswayvets.co.uk

Embsay with Eastby Environmental Action Group