Renowned naturalist David Attenborough is urging British gardeners to make a simple adjustment to their fences this summer to aid hedgehogs in their search for food and mates. The advice comes from his latest series, Wild London, where he shares insights into urban wildlife.
Creating Hedgehog Highways
Attenborough recommends cutting a small hole, approximately 13cm by 13cm, at the base of garden fences. This allows hedgehogs to move freely between gardens, accessing food sources and potential mates. He notes that hedgehogs are charming but not very social, and urban areas are where their numbers have stabilised. With a little help, their populations could even increase.
Why Hedgehogs Need Your Help
After hibernating through winter, hedgehogs emerge in spring and summer, often encountering dead ends in enclosed gardens. By creating 'hedgehog highways' in collaboration with neighbours, these creatures can navigate more easily. They consume up to 100 grams of food per night, so easy access to gardens with plentiful food is crucial.
Gardeners' World suggests that for larger gardens, multiple holes can be made to allow hedgehogs to travel in various directions. To protect them from predators, cover the hole with plastic sheeting and add a layer of leaves. Positioning the hole near a north-facing hedge in a secluded spot offers the safest shelter.
Attenborough, who has lived in London for 75 years, emphasises that this small effort can make a significant difference to urban hedgehog populations. He recalls having a hedgehog in his garden regularly, but now they are a rare sight.
