A thread with some reports of hedgehog activity. Likely to be a short thread as we're close to hibernation time. It's difficult to know exactly what's happening as the cameras only record for a maximum of fifteen seconds with a gap of five seconds between each activation. Both cameras are set to start recording at 7.00pm. and stop at 8.00am. It's almost impossible to tell the hedgehogs apart. They do brush against the top and sides of the doorway on the fence panel as they pass through. This I covered with sand and cement render, as it had the jagged edges of the many drill holes after I'd knocked out the centre to make the hole. So sometimes they have white marks on their prickles but usually in the same places! Anyway, this is a photo from the camera covering the house under the azaleas next to the main patio. This part of the border has a fence around it that only, birds blackbird size and smaller, squirrels and the hedgehogs can get through. This excludes wood pigeons, cats and foxes. The camera was set to start operating from 7.00pm. This is the first "activation" of many, last night, which would suggest that this is its occupant. Unless it had gone in before seven for a half hour kip, which seems unlikely. It went back in again at 7.49 pm and didn't come out again until 8.16 pm This is from the camera covering the other house at the bottom of the garden. The first activation at 7.57. So it has to be a different hedgehog, as the other can't be in two places at once.
Some "argy bargy" last night., as there's obviously three hedgehogs in the market for accommodation. The solution according to my wife is to buy another house. "So anything for a quiet life," I've ordered a "family sized" one. It should be here by Thursday. It's getting near hibernation time, but as there's food available every night, it will still find a tenant when it arrives. It will go in the side border near the entrance in the fence. That one is now in the back border near the tea-house.
I love these posts. Such interesting insight into their lives. As I think back to your earlier postings about hedgehogs— you have had a series challenges, haven't you. You always have solutions, though. This latest villa that you have ordered really is a splash-out. I can’t wait to see how your back yard actors will find the new accommodation. It looks to be built to a high spec. There is a waiting list.
There was another confrontation last night. I guess the third hedgehog is getting a bit desperate for somewhere to hibernate. But "Hog Hall" arrived today! The problem with flat pack kits is that they can't be made watertight with just a few screws. So I used glue as well. There was a thin coat of paint on it, but I used the matt black spray on it. The compartment separator can be removed and the sheet of "lino" then removed for cleaning, once a year. Then I added a thick piece of polystyrene to the base, for insulation. Tried on the oversize roof over the green felt one, the overhang will protect the entrance from rain. Added the fresh hay and it was good to go. I sited the camera so it will pick up any movement around the new house. I put a few hedgehog pellets near the entrance as an encouragement to "prospective occupants." The matt black paint makes it less "in your face," from the lawn.
Riley—I was wondering if you would paint it. I saw that it was necessary, but I wondered if the smell of fresh paint would repel the little hoggies. I can appreciate your thoughtful work. By the way, what are hedgehog pellets?
The Hedgehog Hilton. Lucky little guys to have such a well thought out home for the winter. The hedgehog hall fixed up so well for winter. I hope everybody gets along ok in the end. Very nice story. Glad you shared ‘The Hedgehog Harold News.’ When the kids were small they had them as pets. They are very nice pets for small kids.
The three lots of food I put out, were all eaten. There was a lot of activity on the patio during the evening as the security light caught them several times. The third house is still not occupied, but has attracted a lot of interest. I think there's still a lot of, "coming and going" through the doorway in the side fence. So I've re-positioned the camera to cover the actual doorway as well as the new house. I had to relocate a hebe, which would have obscured the line of sight. Nothing's ever easy is it?
Doghouse Riley your so right… nothin is never easy… it seems like the simplest project is the one that gets very complicated.
First photo from the camera in its new position. Mr Fox's nose! At 7.28pm I think he was just being "nosey" he doesn't appear on any camera again last night. Now it might be a visitor or one of the "tenants" who'd been out before 7.00pm when the camera was set to start recording. Another visitor at 8.55pm. All three bowls of food were eaten.
No sign of hibernation yet. Still a lot of activity. The occupant of the house at the bottom of the garden came out for breakfast around 7.00pm, then went back inside for a couple of hours. A different hedgehog arrived at a quarter to eleven and helped itself to some food. It was watched from the doorway by the first hedgehog, but there was no interaction. The hedgehog in the house by the patio was doing a lot of "housekeeping." It was scraping out dead leaves that get blown into the entrance when I'm vaccing the patio. The new house is still empty, though has had several viewings and at least one has been inside to form a nest. Of course, the one looking for a home a week ago has probably found somewhere in a different garden.
Great shots. Mate, I wish you could have a sleeping box with a cam in it. Haha. Thanks for these pics today.
We've only one hedgehog in residence. It's in the house under the azaleas to the side of the patio. It's of regular habits, still. First appearance last night around 9.30 pm. Then it was in and out for most of the night, sometimes with an hour between appearances, until it went to bed at 5.30 am. The other two houses are still unoccupied. But we're getting at least one visitor. In through the doorway in the fence around 2.00am. Then out again at 5.00am, (you can just see its back leg going through the doorway) The three lots of food I leave out, all got eaten.
