Upton St Leonards WI

LOOK twice if you see a small spiky shape running around gardens or countryside, as these very shy nocturnal creatures hiding in hedgerows, under leaves, grasses, squeezing into log piles, nooks or crannies can be traced as far back as 20 million years but sadly today this endangered species has decreased to only a million; a huge loss of 20-30 per cent in the the past 15 years.

Fast traffic on our roads, boxed in gardens with concrete bases has taken its toll on these loveable creatures immortalised by Beatrix Potter in her tale of ‘Mrs Tiggywinkle’.

Their staple diet is earthworms but being omnivorous they also eat fruit, birds eggs or beetles.

Gardens need to be more natural, leaves, long grass, log piles all help to encourage these shy creatures to find a suitable habitat to live and bring up two litters of hoglets per year in early spring or late autumn.

At around four weeks old the hoglets follow their mother around the garden foraging for food to our delight as they once did in my own garden.

Cat food and water is a favourite, no milk allowed, our speaker Mr John Crowther and his wife Julien said, who both volunteer to help and nurse sick or injured hedgehogs or underweight hoglets from late autumn litters who will not live through the winter.

An animal found in day time and sunlight is not normal, if found injured or distressed place in a box in a cool place, cover and give water to drink, telephone the Hedgehog Hospital in Brimscombe near Stroud; time is of the essence our speaker emphasised.

Parasites can attack these fragile animals, also lung worm or round worm; volunteers get them to the vets surgery paid for by public donations.

All plastic bands, drinks plastic carriers should be cut up and deposited in waste bins.

Ponds need an escape ladder although they can swim; bonfires need to be checked but ideally lit on day of making, but badgers are huge predators, outnumbering hedgehogs will attack and kill them.

The loss of hedgerows, which provided food, shelter and safety, was their home for hibernation and habitat; like all wildlife they are vulnerable and struggle but we ended on a cheery note as Max the star of the evening was brought in by Julien for us all to see.

A warm round of applause followed and vote of thanks from Claudia.

We meet again on Monday, June 1, 7.30pm in Upton St Leonard’s village hall for a talk ‘Hooked on Books’ by speaker Gill Boyd. Colour Blue.

All Ladies very welcome.