Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) are consistently voted Britain’s favourite animal. Nevertheless, over recent years Britain’s hedgehog population has declined rapidly with estimates suggesting that the national population has declined by roughly a third since 2000. The reasons for this decline include biodiversity loss, which robs hedgehogs of their natural diet of invertebrates and other small creatures, increasing numbers of concrete walls that prevent hedgehogs from moving around freely, and increased traffic, which results in more hedgehogs killed by vehicles.
Ealing Wildlife Group runs the Hedgehog Highways project to boost the borough’s hedgehog population. A core aim of this project is to create connected corridors by which Ealing’s hedgehogs can travel to find food (a hedgehog can visit up to 40 gardens per night in search of food). The routes also allow hedgehogs to find mates, which is important to avoid inbreeding. By connecting as many gardens as possible, the project aims to create suitable habitat for hedgehogs across the borough. In order to connect Ealing’s gardens, EWG’s dedicated team of volunteer drillers create CD-sized holes in fences between gardens so that hedgehogs can travel freely and safely. To date, the project has connected 165 gardens. However, the more that are connected, the better it is for local hedgehogs so please speak to your neighbours about creating a Hedgehog Highway in your area.
Another key objective of the Hedgehog Highways project is to educate Ealing residents about how to make their gardens more hedgehog-friendly. Ways to do this include leaving areas of gardens wild in order to increase biodiversity, avoiding the use of rat poison and slug pellets, which can kill hedgehogs if ingested, ensuring there is fresh water in gardens for hedgehogs to drink and making sure garden ponds have ramps that allow hedgehogs to escape if they fall in the water. It is also helpful if people leave cat food out in their gardens from spring to autumn for hedgehogs to eat. Also, as we move towards Guy Fawkes Night and other festivities it is vital to check bonfires for any hedgehogs that might be nesting in amongst the logs and leaves before bonfires are set alight.
In 2023, donations to Ealing Wildlife Group’s Hedgehog Highways fundraiser allowed the group to extend its existing Hanwell Hedgehog Highway project into Acton, Northolt and Southall. Next, EWG commissioned London Hogwatch (ZSL) to undertake hedgehog surveys using camera traps in five parks around Southall, Northolt and Acton – excitingly, interim findings show hedgehogs active in Northala Fields in Northolt, as well as in Glade Lane Canalside Park and Dormers Wells, both of which are in Southall. Therefore, this autumn EWG held Hedgehog Habitat Creation Days at these sites in order to demonstrate how to make gardens habitable for hedgehogs as well as how to build a “hedgehog hotel” in which hedgehogs can hibernate. If you have seen hedgehogs in and around the parks, please do get in touch as we are keen to work with local residents to connect gardens nearby. Hedgehog sightings in the parks can be reported using the button below or email the hedgehog team leader Gemma.
Lastly, EWG’s Hedgehog Highways team are always looking for new team members, whether it is to drill holes, leaflet targeted areas or give educational talks so please get in touch if you would like to help.
Victoria Williams
Volunteer
