My hedgehogs are shy and don’t usually come into the garden until well after dark. The top photo was taken in June 2020 – he thought if he hid in the lavender, I wouldn’t see him.
I have a hedgehog house and during the season, put a little food in there to help them on their way together with a bowl of water outside. With a trail cam set up, I could see that earlier this year, at least six hedgehogs were visiting the garden. Then things settled down and I had one regular visitor with others dropping by from time to time.
This summer, for the first time, I had a rat on video. For a few days it didn’t go into the house but eventually it plucked up courage: went in, came out with a single biscuit, ate it, went in … and so on, repeating this manoeuvre about fifteen times. This is very different behaviour to the hedgehogs who simply go in and scoff.
I have no wish to encourage rats. I know they have been on the island for a very long time but the Brown Rat is not a native species. It is invasive and has devastated some local wildlife. Feeding stopped immediately and I just left the water bowl (cleaned regularly and topped up daily) as hedgehogs easily become dehydrated.
After a gap of several weeks, I put out a tiny handful of food as the hedgehogs will be looking to put on fat in readiness for the winter hibernation – fingers crossed that he uses the house-. My regular hedgehog is back and so far no sign of rats, but I am checking the trail cam every day. Naturally, he shows a total disregard for his water source.
If you come across a hedgehog that is poorly (many seem to develop mange because they are in poor condition) the GSPCA will take them in, treat them and return them to the wild when they are back to full health. http://www.gspca.org.gg/home
Natural history of the Bailiwick of Guernsey 