SPRING is here and as the days gradually get longer and the temperature rises, warmth will be creeping into the hidden nests of hedgehogs across the country, letting them know it’s time to stir from their long hibernation.

The Ludlow based British Hedgehog Preservation Society has come up with a five-point plan to help our prickly friends this spring.

This includes offering meaty cat or dog food as well as water as the hedgehogs will be very hungry and thirsty after being in hibernation.

Creating a log pile will provide natural shelter and food from bugs and grubs.

Gardening can be a huge danger to hedgehogs and so great care is needed, especially before using strimmer’s that can kill or cause terrible injuries.

Provide a hedgehog home, this could be used as a nursery in summer! Plans on building a home can be found on the charity’s website www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk

Join up gardens! Talk to neighbours about adding a hedgehog highway in fences and walls; they only need to be 13cm x 13cm square and will link up vital habitat for ‘hogs!

“Hedgehogs are struggling and mostly that’s due to human activity, these small actions can help a great deal, a little effort from each of us could make life a lot easier for hedgehogs,” said Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.”

Other advice includes ditching pesticides, keeping netting off the ground, leaving a wild corner in the garden and making sure there is an escape route from ponds. Ms Vass explains: “Hedgehogs are good swimmers but struggle to get out of steep, slippery sided ponds and pools, so please do make sure they have an escape route.”

The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 Report released last month by BHPS and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, explained that hedgehog numbers have declined by 30-75 per cent in rural areas since the turn of the century and are continuing to plummet. Their urban cousins are faring slightly better, with numbers stabilising or possibly even beginning to increase.

“We think this slight uptick is thanks to people taking actions, just like those in our plan, to help hedgehogs,” Ms Vass added. “That said, the picture is still far from rosy; having been in decline for many years, they are starting from a very low base.”