Wildlife experts are urging homeowners to create small holes at the base of their fences this spring to help hedgehogs.
Classed as "vulnerable to extinction" on the Red List of British mammals, hedgehogs are on the move at this time of year as they emerge from hibernation. And it doesn't take much to support them in your own garden.
By drilling or digging out a small – approximately 15cm – hole at the bottom of your fence, you can create a 'hedgehog highway' that gives them a safe passage to travel through. Be sure to follow the UK's garden fence rules, though.
"Hedgehogs like to roam large distances to find food, mates and nesting sites," explains Anton Baskerville, wildlife expert at Woodlands.co.uk. "In urban environments, fences, walls and other barriers can limit their movement, making it harder for them to meet these basic needs.
"A 'hedgehog highway' enables them to travel safely between gardens and other habitats, greatly improving their chances of survival and reproduction."
Creating a small hole in your fence to make a hedgehog highway helps them to avoid perilous roads on their travels, too, where they risk injury and death, making it easier for them to find food and shelter.
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You could even coordinate with your neighbours to create a connected network of hedgehog highways so that they can move freely between a larger area of gardens.
There are plenty of other ways to support hedgehogs in your garden, too, including making a hedgehog house or leaving out a small portion of dried cat food and fresh water.
After all, the smallest changes in our gardens can make the biggest difference to wildlife. For hedgehogs, a simple hole in your fence this spring could be a lifeline.
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Cara is Commissioning Editor at Country Living, covering everything from style and interiors to sustainability, artisans and the great outdoors. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in Music from the University of Oxford. Follow Cara on Instagram @caralaskaris or Linkedin.
