Nocturnal Vistors

[StevieP]

One of the things I’d like to share with you guys on here, and something that I have found very beneficial to my well being especially since last year, is the little nighttime visitors I get to my garden pretty much every evening : Hedgehogs!

It will shortly be time for their visits to stop as they will be going into hibernation soon, and their visits are becoming less frequent, but I am still putting out food and water for them to make sure they are fattened up enough for their snooze through winter.

Living where I do in the countryside their visits have been going on pretty much since I’ve been living in this house for many years - but making sure these little darlings are okay and fed is something else to focus on and it’s a delight to see them! So here’s a few photos I have been able to take through my window when I’ve spotted them (although very often they come by very late at night when I am tucked up in bed)! Bare in mind these are taken with my phone, through a window and quite zoomed in hence the not great quality but you get the idea!

[stickyvicky]

Is that dogfood? lol... you are really spoiling them! They must love you! They look like overgrown hamsters, but with sharper bigger teeth! Great pictures Stevie!

[WalterB]

Very cool, Stevie. Living in the city, we don't have hedgehogs here, but we have stray cats, lol. People generally feel that their cats should be allowed to run free. And cats are very independent. Once outside, they will wander and roam everywhere.

Here in my trailer park, there are a number of them. Late last winter I became aware that there were a couple (at least, lol) who had taken up residence under my trailer. So I started worrying about them getting enough food. Now, feral cats have been around since cats first appeared, I guess, and have been generally living the free life just fine. But now ole Walt fears that the poor things might starve to death, so he starts feeding them. Then, once the weather warmed up, I couldn't just stop, so I was hooked.

There were initially two. Then one started going elsewhere (Didn't like my menu? lol) but another one appeared to take his place. While I was gone for a month in September, they, of course, disappeared. They're still in the park, of course, but dining elsewhere. I'm not sure if they're still rooming in my "Hotel El Paso," but there are indications that they are. When I got home, I started putting food out again, and they started coming back. Then I got Bailey. I may have mentioned my new friend, in the Dog topic. (I'll check) but with Bailey out there, the cats don't hang around. I'm going to start putting food out at night and see what happens.

[lance_s]

One of the things I’d like to share with you guys on here, and something that I have found very beneficial to my well being especially since last year, is the little nighttime visitors I get to my garden pretty much every evening : Hedgehogs!

It will shortly be time for their visits to stop as they will be going into hibernation soon, and their visits are becoming less frequent, but I am still putting out food and water for them to make sure they are fattened up enough for their snooze through winter.

Living where I do in the countryside their visits have been going on pretty much since I’ve been living in this house for many years - but making sure these little darlings are okay and fed is something else to focus on and it’s a delight to see them! So here’s a few photos I have been able to take through my window when I’ve spotted them (although very often they come by very late at night when I am tucked up in bed)! Bare in mind these are taken with my phone, through a window and quite zoomed in hence the not great quality but you get the idea!

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Just be glad hedgehogs are all you have to contend with. I once had to call a wildlife company to evacuate a skunk that fell into a window well on my property. And then there is this poor sod:

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-man-sh ... -1.4960090


And Ottawa is NOT countryside - the metro area has an estimated population of over 1.25 million.

[StevieP]

Is that dogfood? lol... you are really spoiling them! They must love you! They look like overgrown hamsters, but with sharper bigger teeth! Great pictures Stevie!

Thank you Vicky! It's not dogfood, it's actually proper hedgehog food I get from the local pet shop. The old myth was to leave out bread and milk for them bit in actual fact hedgehogs are lactose intolerant so that was never good for them. This is supposed to have all of what they need nutrition wise (and this particular brand is developed in conjunction with hedgehog sanctuaries over here) and also, thankfully, doesn't attract cats or other animals from taking it before the hoggies get the chance!

[StevieP]

Just be glad hedgehogs are all you have to contend with. I once had to call a wildlife company to evacuate a skunk that fell into a window well on my property. And then there is this poor sod:

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-man-sh ... -1.4960090


And Ottawa is NOT countryside - the metro area has an estimated population of over 1.25 million.

I've also had a badger invade the garden before now - actually destroyed two fence panels getting in and out of my garden which had to be replaced! Other than that it's the neighbours cats, squirrels... the occasional duck...

[StevieP]

Very cool, Stevie. Living in the city, we don't have hedgehogs here, but we have stray cats, lol. People generally feel that their cats should be allowed to run free. And cats are very independent. Once outside, they will wander and roam everywhere.

Here in my trailer park, there are a number of them. Late last winter I became aware that there were a couple (at least, lol) who had taken up residence under my trailer. So I started worrying about them getting enough food. Now, feral cats have been around since cats first appeared, I guess, and have been generally living the free life just fine. But now ole Walt fears that the poor things might starve to death, so he starts feeding them. Then, once the weather warmed up, I couldn't just stop, so I was hooked.

There were initially two. Then one started going elsewhere (Didn't like my menu? lol) but another one appeared to take his place. While I was gone for a month in September, they, of course, disappeared. They're still in the park, of course, but dining elsewhere. I'm not sure if they're still rooming in my "Hotel El Paso," but there are indications that they are. When I got home, I started putting food out again, and they started coming back. Then I got Bailey. I may have mentioned my new friend, in the Dog topic. (I'll check) but with Bailey out there, the cats don't hang around. I'm going to start putting food out at night and see what happens.

Thank you Walt. My dad always enjoyed seeing them every year so it feels more important now than ever before to actually keep my end up in looking after the little critters. There are a number of cats around here too but I don't leave anything out for them... several will approach me when I am out for my evening walk though and I give them a little stroke. :)

[WalterB]

It's amazing that there's food that cats won't come eat. That makes it easier for you.

[StevieP]

A lot easier yes... and it is actually the case, because when I started using it I thought "yeah, right" but I have seen a cat come up to the plate of it and actually turn it's nose away and go off. So whatever it is, hedgehogs love it but cats don't!

[lance_s]

A lot easier yes... and it is actually the case, because when I started using it I thought "yeah, right" but I have seen a cat come up to the plate of it and actually turn it's nose away and go off. So whatever it is, hedgehogs love it but cats don't!

I never would have thought. I assumed that if one animal eats it, all animals will eat it.

[WalterB]

I'm betting my damn dog would eat it.

[Hornylady9]

Those are good pics StevieP! That's nice of u to feed them. We have stray cats in our neighborhood. I set some things out for them sometimes but they look pretty healthy so I know someone else is feeding them.

Zany