Despite dwindling numbers, hedgehogs here in Histon & Impington are still in with a fighting chance. Alison Turnbull shares an update on how the community is helping to turn around the plight of these plucky nocturnal visitors.
In rural areas, nationally, hedgehog populations have reduced by up to 75% – with the largest decline being seen in the eastern half of England. However, in urban areas there are stable populations which show signs of increasingaand Histon and Impington may just be one of them. This is where we can all help by protecting gardens and green spaces and taking action at a local level to support our village hedgehogs.
In 2020, hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were included in the IUCN Red List of species noted as ‘vulnerable to extinction in the United Kingdom’, due to their overall declining populations. Sadly, of course hedgehog road fatalities are highest in and around towns. But while the future seems bleak, the situation is not impossible to rectify.
How can you help?
There are things that we all can do to help support our local hedgehog populations. We talked to Sue Free, one of our community’s local ‘Hedgehog Champions’ – leading on an offshoot of the work of H&I Sustainability. For several years now, the group has encouraged people to report hedgehog sightings which, in turn, contribute to a map showing where they have been seen, and where the gateways are which allow the hogs to roam. This then helps the group to work out which areas need to be added to the ‘hedgehog highway’.
Sue explains: “The hedgehog mapping project has been very successful so far but we still need more people to participate. We’d like to produce a new map each year to give some guidance on changing numbers. It’s really important that we make sure our gardens are connected with gaps in hedges or fences so that hedgehogs can forage widely and be connected to habitats and other populations. Ideally, ultimately, we hope to have all the streets linked in one big hedgehog highway”.
She continues, “Lots of people have already provided a hedgehog gateway into (and out of) their garden by having a small circular hole cut in their fence. We have a special hole saw available and there are volunteers who will help cut the holes.”
Sue explains that the list of sightings, “shows the range of the hedgehogs and helps us to spot features in the environment which might prevent them roaming more widely”.
How many hedgehogs are there in H&I?
Estimating numbers of hedgehogs locally has not been easy; they are widespread but scarce, and may forage some distance during the course of a night. Consequently, a number of hedgehog sightings within a mile on a particular night, could be the same hedgehog! They are opportunistic eaters and will feast on carrion and fallen fruit, as well as earthworms and invertebrates. They will also eat meat-based cat and dog food, purchased hedgehog food and cat biscuits.
In 2024, the HI Hedgehog Heroes collected sightings across 46 streets from 81 separate households. The Hedgehog Highway website has recordings of 92 holes found in this area.
Generally they prefer gardens and hedgerows and tend to follow linear features in the landscape which give shelter. The biggest pressure on hedgehog numbers is the impoverished environment, such as the intensification of agriculture and use of pesticides which has unfortunately reduced numbers of invertebrates in our green spaces.
As hedgehogs are emerging from hibernation, it’s the perfect time to check gardens and outdoor spaces, leaf piles and shrubs. Don’t clear up too much in case they are disturbed, and if you have a pond, ensure there is a gentle slope or a log or other feature to allow a stranded hedgehog to climb out.
Hedgehog Champions will be at the HIGS members’ afternoon and AGM at 2pm on Saturday 22 March at the Saint Andrew’s Centre. Why not come along to log your latest sighting and add your garden to the Hedgehog Superhighway!
If you want to help make Histon and Impington one of the most hedgehog friendly villages and have a fully connected hedgehog highway ready for them to emerge from their winter hibernation, get involved today. Email hihedgehogs@gmail.com for more information and how you can help.
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