At the rescue, I have now officially become the hedgehog woman, and as such it has fallen to me to do the weekly hedgehog weigh in. As you can see, many of our hogs are becoming rather plump and seem disinterested in their ever-expanding waistlines….there are several even fatter than this one.
You wouldn’t believe how individual hedgehog temperaments can vary, at the moment we have a really wild hog who has actually bitten the same member of staff five times….but I’ve managed to escape it’s wrath to date, I just get the dramatic lunging and the hissing!!!
This week, we were all rather heartbroken, as an ancient hog that has been with us for nearly a year began to seriously decline. It had been losing weight for the last month so we’ve been hand feeding it. Now hedgehogs are supposed to have poor eyesight, but this little guy gazed into my eyes each time I fed it and seemed very peaceful and relaxed while being handled, never once attempting to curl up. Anyway, a couple of days ago I opened up it’s crate to find it cold and dehydrated looking, and it’s eyes were half closed and very dim. So I began to feed it and immediately it perked up and opened it’s eyes properly. And…..it’s little eyes grew bright and fixed on mine….and I, as usual, got goosebumps. Sadly, the next day it died. I will really miss that little hog, it was such a sweet, gentle little thing.
This week I saw my very first cormorant close up. We’ve never had one in the rescue before and I was blown away by it’s beautiful green eyes and the detail on it’s feathers. What looks like a black bird in the skies is totally different close up! These birds have very powerful beaks which is why I have secured it in this picture while it is being medicated. Water birds tend to go for the eyes so you do have to be careful around them. I was so sorry when this bird died, I think it was too far gone when it was brought in. Losing an animal is always difficult but I suppose they can’t all be saved and at least they die warm, undisturbed and secure from predators……
On a more positive note, this little robin at the rescue is so bold it actually flies into the hog room and sits on the table demanding the food we provide for it….I can never get a picture indoors though….this is it outside the room making its way in….
Potatoes chitting and the first seeds going in.
Now I’ve been thinking about the shocking floods the UK has had, and is still suffering. Worldwide the weather is now becoming more and more extreme and the seasons are so unpredictable. The impact this can have upon mankind and wildlife is extremely worrying.
The cuttings will have to be planted out soon to make room for seeds…or I’ll have to get a couple of cold frames….
I’ve also been dwelling on the subject of human population recently. The population is exploding, and we are almost at the seven billion mark with a prediction of nine billion by 2050….which leads me to wonder how many people the earth can support…..not to mention other species …their populations are shrinking dramatically.
The herbs have been growing all winter and the chives are actually about to flower.
The sad thing is how much people in the UK and US use in terms of resources compared to people in countries like India….the average Brit uses up to four times more and the average American up to ten times more….shocking stats indeed! So, this year I’m paying special attention to what resources I use, and I intend to grow as much as I possible can, collect rain water and consider every plant in my garden in terms of how useful it is to wildlife and pollinators.
I’m building several more wildlife areas.
And I’ve planted a new Lavender and Thyme hedge to soften the harsh lines of the veggie patch which will be doubled in size this year.
Broad beans actually flowering in February.
Normally our front lawn floods each year, but strangely, this year, despite the heaviest rainfall recorded, it didn’t. I think this may be a result of having dug a new trench for the Lavender and lots more squares for the Palms, which along with clearing the lawn around the large trees may have acted as an efficient drainage system. Now that had me thinking…..yes again!!!
Maybe if everyone in the UK took up a few flags and planted something, that would free up millions of acres which would help with drainage and also be beneficial to our wildlife and pollinators. And councils could remove the odd flags from pavements, where they are wide enough and plant them up….maybe it’s time for our concrete jungles to recede a little….
Now I don’t have the answers to climate change, but I suppose if every individual did something the overall impact could be huge. Whichever way we look at it an ever increasing population combined with ever decreasing resources means we simply have to plan intelligently for future generations. We must do what we can to protect ourselves, other species and our planet.
And finally…when we moved into this house over twenty years ago, red squirrels ruled the roost and were a common sight, they even bred in the garden. Then the pox virus struck and all but decimated them and sightings of them became rarer and rarer. Happily, they are now making a come back and are becoming a common sight in the garden once more. Long may it continue….I’ve missed them!
I saw your comment on the Alder and Ash blog – that you find the idea of following the progress of a tree through the year interesting. Would you like to join us? There’s an introduction to the idea on my post about a Holm Oak – http://tinyurl.com/oxxh3am . The linky box for it keeps moving to the most recent post – which, currently, is on an elderberry tree http://tinyurl.com/pcppfy5 (From the beginning of March there will be one linky box each month.) Do hope you would like to join in – the more who take part the more interesting it will be. There’s a growing list of participants here – http://looseandleafy.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-is-tree-following-and-list-of-tree.html
Best wishes
Lucy Corrander
Hi Lucy, I do think it’s a fantastic idea and I shall keep an eye on and enjoy the posts, sadly though I get so busy I tend to forget to do things on a regular basis so would end up with sporadic posts.
I shall enjoy following everyone else. xxx
I think the problem is multi-fold Chloris. A loss of habitat, over tidy gardens, increased traffic and really strange weather are having a terrible effect on them. Each Autumn litter has been late for the last few years so those little ones don’t reach the right hibernating weigh, that has been a result of the late cold Springs. It is such a shame to see an animal that was once so common disappearing. Thanks for visiting.xxx
Lovely post. Hedgehogs used to be such a common sight. I always came across them in the garden and they used to be everywhere squashed on the road. I can’t remember when I last saw one. Their numbers must have declined dramatically. Do you know the reason for this?
The last one I saw must have been at least 5 years ago, it was close to death and covered in ticks. Is there some sort of hedgehog disease decimating them?
That hedgehog looked like a rolled up scarf! I’m sorry about the passing of the gentle hog. I love that you give them such tender loving care. As for the cormorant up close — wow! Love the shades in the wing feathers.
Hope you are surviving all the winds of the storm we’ve been hearing about. So good to see all the green things coming up — and that chive! Ready to bloom? Amazing.
Lol….it does look like a rolled up scarf, funny but I’ve never thought of that before. Some of them are so fat they can’t roll up properly, they will have to go on a diet before they can be released.
I was struck by the cormorant’s feathering, and the yellow on the beak, strange how little of that colour is seen when they are in the skies.
Yikes….the winds have been fearsome, and more seem to be coming our way….I’m not a fan of wind, it’s so bloomin’ destructive isn’t it….Thanks Anne.xxx
A lovely post. I’ve just been feeling rather eco-doomish myself, and put together a little list of things I plan to do this year to reduce my family’s impact and live a bit more sustainably. I so agree with you – if we all do a bit, and keep doing a little more each year – it all adds up. Even if it sometimes it just feels too little, in the face of the increasingly grim climate change news! Sorry about your lovely old hedgehog – just occasionally we get them in our fields, and it is always a total joy to see them pottering about. Unfortunately, I see more dead on the roads than live ones. Good for you for taking care of them. (Apologies if you’ve received this post twice, my computer crashed when I was posting!)
Thanks Lucy, I know what you mean, it does seem that our individual contribution won’t make a difference, but if everyone did something I’m sure the effect would be dramatic. People are becoming greener even in terms of re-cycling…I suppose we all have to re-think what we use and how we use it.
I worry about the decline in the hedgehog population, ten years ago we had 60 million, now we are down to a million…..that is a worrying statistic. They are suffering with the confused seasons too. Thanks for visiting Lucy.xxx
Wow. 60 million down to 1 million in such a short time is horrendous. I’ve always loved hedgehogs – when I was young, hedgehogs used to come into our garden each year. They would push over the milk bottles and drink the milk! (I know now that milk isn’t good for them – ‘our’ ones used to help themselves!)
It is a seriously worrying statistic isn’t it. So many people these days haven’t seen a hedgehog at all! Your childhood hogs sound so cute.xxx
I used to volunteer at with a dog rescue group and it was so difficult when the dogs didn’t make it or where ignored by potential adopters because they weren’t “cute” enough. I wanted to make a big sign that said “They don’t judge you by your appearance. Don’t judge them by theirs.” That little hog must have felt so comfortable and safe with you. That’s a big compliment.
A horticulturalist friend of mine once told me to only plant useful plants. Not all of my plants support wildlife but most of them do and using that principle to help guide me when I add new plants to the garden is both satisfying and beneficial. It reminds me that I’ve created an ecosystem that needs to be nourished, not just decorated.
As for American consumption, it is horrifically grotesque at its worst. Everything here is disposable yet our gov’t is so quick to condemn other countries. Very few people take public transit and cars rule the road. In many places, buses and metros aren’t’ even available. We all need to live a lot lighter.
Oh I’m with you on how annoying it is when people only want to adopt cute animals, and you are spot on re dogs not judging people!!!! How lovely that you volunteered with the dogs…I see them trotting past me at the rescue and have to look away, otherwise I would have a huge pack!!!!
The little hog was wonderful, I think it actually enjoyed human contact which is odd as most of them don’t. I will miss it, it was a little gem.
It is hard at times to resist plants that have no value, especially if they are attractive, but it’s lovely to have plants that encourage wildlife, it brings the garden alive….as you say.
I agree with you about Western consumption, the waste of food alone in the UK is horrific and we are the same re car use…I do make the effort to walk and am shocked when I see people driving down one street to collect kids from school, what’s wrong with fresh air??? I think a big shake up is required and resources are not taken for granted. Thanks Casa.xxx
Dear Dina, I can use empathy … and I perceive that many of your visitors in the blog are sensitive people who feel real affection for animals.
Unfortunately, our world is going in the wrong direction… man destroys the fauna and flora and we are too few to bring a little support!
But we should not despair: every small gesture of love can save little lives. I admire you so much for what you do and how you are…
it’s always nice to come here in your virtual world, see the awakening of nature and the many jobs that have to be made in your lovely garden… keep up the good spirit! Serenity Claudine
Thanks so much Claudine. I suppose every little action does help, even if it’s only in a small way. There is so much than can be done if people choose to do it, things like recycling makes such a difference. I’m always shocked how much rubbish goes in land fill sites each year and supermarkets over package everything. I constantly complain re over-packaged goods and I’m amazed when they actually listen and take action.
You are right though, there is always hope, there are more and more people taking action worldwide!
I love visiting other people’s blogs too, it’s always nice to see what’s going on around the world.xxx
It’s wonderful to have the reds back Arose, they are so entertaining, but then I do love the greys too, what a shame these two are competing for resources.
I do remember back in the day being advised to flag gardens…..I think it’s time to unflag now,it would be so much nicer for people to have a little greenery to look at too….
I cannot imagine my house being flooded, where on earth would you start in terms of a clear up? What a nightmare. Now we have winds of 100 mph and torrential rain….sighs….
Lol….I shall try hard to live up to my title!!! Yes…I must get a hedgehog onesie!!!xxx
How amazing to have red squirrels in your garden! We have loads of the big grey ones but there are no red squirrels at all here…
Do you remember years ago there was so much droughtiness people were being advised to pave over their gardens and grow plants that didn’t need much water? I see loads of such front gardens round here….
As you say… must be time to take up the slabs and plant lots of things to take up the water etc!
I feel so sorry for all the people in the flooded places…. at this time of year when it is cold too….
Well Mrs Hedgehog lady…. keep up the good work… and nice to know there are big fat hedgehogs…. we used to have quite a number of hedgehogs round here but now they are very rare, don’t know if it is because there are too many cats or what….:( xxxx
Good morning Dina…once again a Wowzer:)
Why didn’t I think that hedgehogs have different personalities….but of course.
Oh the cormorant…what a privilege to be able to hold such a beautiful creature, and yes sustainability is key for all of us.
We must begin to think differently, and behave differently. Starting with allowing our gardens to nurture wildlife, rather than to pave over every single green space!!!
As for red squirrels, what a delight to see one in your garden. I can remember as a child that they were everywhere…..I love them.
Thank you so much. Janet. xxx
Thanks Janet. Lol….yes, hogs are very diverse, some are actually rather friendly, but most can be grumpy and some downright annoyed!!!
It was wonderful to see the cormorant close up, I really didn’t expect those emerald green eyes, such a shame the poor bird didn’t make it.
I completely agree re sustainability, we can’t continue as we are doing at present, and by removing some of the flags we could make a huge difference for people and animals.
I am thrilled to see the reds back here, where they belong, and I’m spoiling them rotten with peanuts.xxx
Wonderful post as always. Spring and renewal is not too far away for you. You get close to your little friends. They are lucky they have you to support them. You do a wonderful job helping them. Love the images.
It is not so much that there will be shortages of food and water for more billions of humans, but it the distribution of resources around the globe. All that water the UK is getting would be better elsewhere where it is scarce and more and more land is being lost to encroaching deserts.
I have posted on the Chinese “Green Wall” where the Chinese have tackled this encroachment. It starts with societies cutting down forests for cooking and heating. Once they have gone there is no renewal of the forests and then the land deterioates into deserts. Often strong winds blow the topsoil off the land and it is then not fit for pasture or cropping.
Thanks Peter, the funny thing is, even though it’s been a terribly wet and windy winter, temperatures have been really mild and lots of spring bulbs are popping up early.
If only our surplus water could be diverted to countries who need it, that would be a win win for everyone for sure.
I shall pop across and read about the green wall….xxx
Hello sweet Snow Bird, what a wonderful and touching post. I’m glad to read you are the hedgehog lady! Also saddened to read that you’ve lost such a sweet creature. Our rescue lady (Joan) has one that cannot be released as it’s too tame and actually seeks human company (Cellie), she has kept him and uses him to educate (and enthrall) when she does her talks – he is an amazing little creature, but just before Christmas he too became ill going off food and becoming very thin and dehydrated and she thought she would loose him, but our wonderful vet found that his gums were infected and swollen and treated him with an antibiotic. She was told it may take up to five days to take effect, and on the fifth day he rallied round, his appetite increased and he is now back to his normal happy self. It appears that he may have to have some teeth removed. I wonder if your little soul had the same problem, as it wasn’t obvious even to Joan who has treated over 4000 hedgehogs over the years?
I know that a few of the juvenile hedgehog fosterers have bad tempered little blighters (or is that biters) too 🙁
I think cormorants are such beautiful birds, what a shame yours lost the fight.
How wonderful to see your red squirrel, I’ve only ever seen one in the wild when I was a teenager – a LONG time ago!
As you know I have a wildlife garden, but we are guilty of taking up lawn and replacing it with block paving. Thank goodness I have lots of borders and we don’t suffer with water lying on the surface. I’ve seen that some local councils are trying to stop all the concrete and return to other surfaces which are better for drainage. Our country as a whole needs to have a rethink about the surfaces in our gardens, especially in the light of our changing weather patterns.
(Sorry for the long comment)
Rose H
xx
Hello Rose, lovely to hear from you. I have missed your posts and I hope all is well with you.
How lovely to hear about Cellie, and what a lucky little hog she is. Our oldie went to live with a member of staff over the summer in a secure walled garden and had a ball. Sadly, the little guy had no teeth so it eat AD, it had several courses of antibiotics which did help but in the end I think it died of old age, but it was really friendly and seemed to like us all and being handled.
Rose is doing an amazing job, bless her, our poor hedgehogs need all the help they can get.
It’s great that you have a wildlife garden, your birds and hogs are evidence of that!! Long may it continue to be a refuge.
The floods are so scary aren’t they, as well as being nightmarish for people the impact on wildlife will be terrible in those areas. We have winds of 100 mph at the moment and driving rain, animals cannot cope with it.
I loved your long comment Rose, and hope you get chance to post again soon.xxx
Poor little hog…and the cormorant, too. I think I would find it very difficult to deal with losing the animals and birds. I easily get attached to animals and birds here.
I agree with everything you say, Dina. I think the same way! I really worry about the future of our wildlife, so much of what we do has a negative impact on it and there isn’t really the will to live alongside it as we should be doing.
But it is fantastic to see the red squirrels back where you are. I don’t think I’ll ever see any around here, so I’ll enjoy the sight of yours!
A wonderful post, with so much to think about.
It’s difficult working with animals isn’t it, if a creature is with us for a while it’s so very hard not to become attached. I do hate to see animals die but I suppose they are safe and warm at least.
The plight of the wildlife is a huge worry isn’t it, worldwide populations are in severe decline and little is being done. I think many people today care little about the creatures that are trying to share their space, and actually want to eliminate them. It’s such an arrogant point of view. Still, there’s lots of us fighting their corner and your wildlife and animals are lucky to have you and share your land.
I am so thrilled to have the squirrels back, they almost disappeared altogether around here. Thanks Wendy.xxx
A beautiful and tender post, as always, Dina, and, of course you’re right about the earth and her need for seriously serious care…alone, we can’t do it all, but as you say, reducing our consumption/carbon footprint, gardening, caring for those who need our help (whether winged, legged, or slithering), and speaking up about acting wisely…it all helps. And help we must. You are a shining light; thank you.
Thank you so much Kitty, if we all do something I’m sure it would make a difference but as you say a lot more has to happen to keep the earth the beautiful planet it is, green places are shrinking daily and politicians and business choose to turn a blind eye. We have to work much harder re our energy issues too, so many alternatives, like solar power are now available ….xxx
Wow, what a wonderful, reflective post. I think everyone should have a good think about climate change and what ‘we’ as individuals can do about it before it’s too late. Love the idea to soften the look of the raised veggie bed, the lavender will be smothered with bees in the summer, how wonderful. I am hoping to see Red Squirrels on the Isle of Wight this year, we are staying at a place called Languards Holiday Park and apparently spotting them is almost guaranteed. Can’t wait. xx
Thanks Sam. It really would make such a difference if we all pulled together as individuals, even turning lights off and collecting rainwater is a start….there are so many thing we can do so I suppose there is always hope.
I love Lavender and the fact that so many insects gravitate to it….it’s always fab to see bees swarming around a plant. And I get to enjoy it’s scent too….and having it in the bath water!!
Oh…how lovely that you are going to the Isle of Wight….that’s on my list of a must go!!! Here’s to you seeing lots of reds! xxx
Very interesting pix. Cormorants are not uncommon where I live, it was, though, interesting to see the detail of the bird you pictured.
Yay! A red squirrel. I am sure I have never seen one. There’s been the grey one or three, with a bit of red in their mix.
It’s lovely that hedgehog and you had a time of your own to commune together, before s/he finally departed.
Your plants are doing extraordinarily well.
The floods are awesome, (in the original sense) and soul-destroying for so many people.
Thanks Menhir, I was astonished at the cormorant close up, it’s eyes were the most beautiful emerald green and the patterns on it’s feathers were most surprising. We get a lot around the Mersey, I think this one was blown off course.
It’s wonderful to see a species begin to revive, the reds are common here and were part of the pinewoods but they almost disappeared. I do hope their numbers pick up.
I think the word commune sums up my relationship with that little hog perfectly, that’s exactly how it felt. I have never known such a trusting and co-operative hedgehog……
The floods….biblical proportions for sure. How awful it must be……here’s to the rain stopping.xxx
Very touching post, Snowbird. I agree that we should all do what we can – it may seem little to us, but if we all did it, then the effect would be big. However dire the outlook for mankind, that does not absolve us from our part in the general responsibility.
May you and your philosophy live long and prosper – not to mention the animals in the refuge!
Thanks Gilly, I do think lots of little drops can soon form an ocean…..so if we did all try a little harder maybe we could make a massive difference. And how right you are, I think it’s easy to forget our own individual responsibility, we do need to think more along those lines. I’m determined to live a cleaner life, it’s just about being a little more mindful I suppose.
Ahhh….I hope we all live long and prosper.xxx
Lovely post! Quite a bit of ‘thinking’ going on…;)
The Earth can sustain remarkably more than we think…Problem lies with the ‘unequal’ distribution…and use of the Earth’s resources…In short, ‘Greed’ is the virus…. 😉
On the other hand…Nature has a way of ‘levelling out’….not always to human ‘liking’…. Hugs! xxx
I agree about people taking up some flagstones… paving gardens for parking is a horrible sight around here.Our front garden is too small for that and it has a thick hedge which once a blackbird built a nest in.We found it startled folk hearing the birds sing inside the bush.We have alot of insects and grey squirrels but fewer birds now.
This is a super post.I kept trying to invite you on BCUK but it says,data error…
You have a beautiful way of life.
I agree with Bushka.. more people can live on earth if we adapt.xxx
I do think removing a few flags would make a huge difference across the UK….how shocking that bird song can actually startle people….I couldn’t imagine life without it. I do feel uncomfortable when surrounded by concrete, it does have a harshness about it, but at least pigeons have found a use for it.
I do hope we can adapt and begin to live as one world, for we are one species after all.
Bcuk is a difficult site to access these days and it doesn’t open for me most of the time, so sorry about that. Thanks Kath xxx
Thanks Bushka, oh…the endless problem of uneven distribution. I heard recently that western countries are buying land in third world countries to grow food, while their native populations are starving….and paying a pittance and employing slave labour….I do agree about greed.xxx
What a wonderful post this was… especially the return of the red squirrels. I love all squirrels… perhaps because they are so rare in our country. I know others see them as a pest. Very touching too to hear of the dying hedgehog. That’s one of the hardest things about dealing with animals on a regular basis. But what you said about the other saving other species is very problematic. I can see the advantage of having many different species of wild life on the planet. It certainly has been a blessing up till now. But you know, the only way to really help them is get rid of a whole lot of human beings. And these are treasonous thoughts. And if we go any further, and start comparing the use of natural resources… well, we get to keep the Indians… but I fear to mention who has to go… it could be that there satellites are already jotting down my comment for future reference… very problematic…
Thanks Shimon, having the reds back is fantastic, it’s wonderful to see them chasing each other up tree trunks and burying their nuts in the lawn. I like all squirrels too, such dexterous little creatures. You’re right about working with animals, parting is such sweet sorrow.
Ah yes….saving wildlife is fraught with problems and all solutions seem to clash with mankind….or the other way around. I think birth control has to be the way to go and education is urgently called for, and we can all do our own little bit…..
I best leave it there now that you have brought up the subject of satellites…xxx
I’ve never seen a cormorant up close either, it’s so very beautiful – so sad it didn’t make it. And the hog, but I guess you have to take the bad with the good and, as you say, at least they’re warm and fed. Xxx
Thanks Scarlett . It was such a shame the cormorant didn’t survive, but I did get to appreciate it close up. If only they could all pull through, and it was lovely to find a little friend in the old hog. I think it enjoyed it’s final year of life. xxx
I’m sorry that the gentle little hedgehog died, but he lived out his life in peace and with lots of care. I didn’t realise that hedgehogs bite, I’ve never heard of one biting before. This is a thought provoking post, it’s amazing how things on Earth change in our own lifetimes, who’s to say what’s going to happen in the future. Glad to see that the red squirrels are making a comeback, it must be wonderful seeing them in your own garden.
Thanks Jo, hogs don’t tend to bite as a rule, their usual defense is to curl up, but there are the odd rogues….a few have been known to bite and they do have very sharp teeth…..this one is the most aggressive hog I’ve ever come across, it should do well once it’s released.
I do hope things change for the better in the future, who knows as you say.
It’s a joy to have the reds racing around the garden again.xxx
Lovely post, even though tinged with some sadness, and terrific photos especially the one of the cormorant.
I agree with what you say but sadly I think that the world at large will do do to little too late at some point in the future,although I hope that I’m wrong.
Lucky you with the red squirrels. xx
Thanks Flighty, it was wonderful to see a cormorant close up, it’s eye colour really surprised me. Shame it didn’t pull through though.
I hope something changes soon, but I can’t see it happening in the immediate future. Maybe it’s down to individuals to try and make a difference.
It’s marvelous to finally see the reds back where they belong.xxx
You are absolutely right, and it’s something that concerns me greatly too. Already there is talk of abandoning the coasts because the cost of defending them is too high. Less land, less able to support crops because of climate change, increasing population. Ouch.
It is worrying Jessica, less land bodes ill for our wildlife too. I think birth control has to come into play, education is one way to go…..It seems to be working in some countries. xxx
Another problem is new builds have such tiny gardens so the percentage of concrete covering on a new site is extremely high in comparison to what it was years ago when all houses had a reasonable size garden.
Your title made me smile – when i use that phrase Martyn winces!
Your Martyn sounds just like my hubs!!!
I do agree about modern builds, maybe councils need to allow for more garden space and regulate accordingly, especially in flood prone areas. xxx
A sad but thought provoking post. I think you are right in your ponderings I just hope it’s not a case of too little too late.
I really hope that humanity can work together one day and reverse some of the damage….and how lovely if we could share resources……but I think that would take a miracle or some devastating event. Thanks Elaine.xxx
Sorry about your hedgehog friend. At least he was well cared for in his last days. Your English robins look quite different from ours. Here’s a link. http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/american_robin/id.
Thanks Jason, yes, at least the little hog passed peacefully. I did enjoy seeing your robin, what a lovely little bird. Thanks for the link.xxx