Hedgehog Awareness Week (2nd to 8th May) aims to raise the profile of hedgehogs and highlight the important work that’s being done to protect them all around the country.
Linden Homes’ The Oaks development in Chudleigh is now a hedgehog friendly development. Site manager, Daniel Fisher commented: “We’ve been installing hedgehog highways at The Oaks and we’re delighted to be part of this fantastic initiative. Creating these small holes in the fences enables the hedgehogs to travel easily between gardens and wilder areas – It’s a small amount of work but it will have a large impact on the local hedgehog community, helping them to thrive.”
The 13cm by 13cm holes in the fences allow hedgehogs to roam freely at night, enabling them to find enough food, mates and shelter – and to preserve their natural habitat.
Daniel added: “It’s also a great opportunity for nature-loving residents to learn more about the wildlife in their gardens and to see how small changes like this can help to support efforts to conserve the hedgehog population.”
Chudleigh Prickly Hedge is a relatively new group which aims to protect hedgehogs by raising awareness and support in the town. Barbara Steele from Chudleigh Prickly Hedge added: “Unfortunately many hedgehogs are killed and injured on our roads as they can roam around a mile at night foraging for food. Hedgehog highways are an easy way homeowners can prevent this happening by giving them an alternative safe route through our gardens and access to the wider countryside. It is a good sign that new developments in Teignbridge fully support and implement this initiative.”
As part of Hedgehog Awareness Week, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society is asking everyone to create their own hedgehog haven and is offering advice on how to make their garden hedgehog friendly:
- Link your garden
- Ensure there’s an easy route out of ponds and pools
- Create a wild corner
- Deal with netting and litter
- Put out food and water
- Stop using chemicals on your garden
- Check before strimming
- Build a logpile
Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society said: “Hedgehogs roam around about a mile a night, that’s a lot of gardens! Hedgehogs are in decline and have recently been added to the UK Red List as a species ‘vulnerable to extinction’. Loss and fragmentation of habitat are serious issues for them, which is why this connectivity is so important. We hope residents will soon enjoy hedgehogs visiting their gardens and would ask them to log any hedgehog sightings on the BIG Hedgehog Map at www.bighedgehogmap.org.uk – they could even sign up as a Hedgehog Champion for their new community at www.hedgehogstreet.org.uk – Hedgehog Street is a project we run with People’s Trust for Endangered Species and is currently celebrating its 10th year!”
Ecologist and author, Hugh Warwick added: “The response of Linden Homes should send a message to all developers - it is not difficult to help hedgehogs - just a little care on their part can make a huge difference for these delightful creatures.”
The Oaks is a popular development of two, three and four bedroom attractive homes. For more information call 01626 785116 or visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk/theoaks
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Contact: Emma Mackay, Linden Homes, 077383 12960; emma.mackay@lindenhomes.co.uk
