We were very excited last night to get our first sighting of Indy in 9f, as he zipped from 9f (right) where he had been hibernating for almost five months, into 9f (left).
Later on he nipped out for a quick snack of mealworms. He must be very hungry, so we were surprised he wasn't eating for so long, but we suppose it takes a little time to get his little body fully operational after being shut down for so long.
This was actually his second excursion, and he made a third one later in the night:
Just after he went into hibernation we put an extra camera inside the boiler room, but never had anything to test it on. We found last night that it wasn't very well positioned, so we changed it today, so it now looks across the whole front of 9f, inside the door.
We were rewarded with this lovely shot of Indy coming out of 9f (left) and having a good sniff. He obviously wasn't too happy with what he smelled, because he turned round and went back to bed. Hopefully he'll be out later for a good meal.
Hedgehog activity is slowly building in the back garden, although most of it is concentrated around the ATM - none have ventured onto the patio yet.
Showing posts with label hedgehog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hedgehog. Show all posts
Monday, 29 March 2010
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Indy's Made It!
We had great news tonight - Indy, the indecisive hedgehog who couldn't decide whether to live in the left-hand or right-hand nest box in our boiler room, made his first appearance after hibernation.
We were fairly certain he had hibernated in one of the two semi-detached nest boxes, as we saw him go in on November 2nd 2009, and we hadn't seen him come out. We couldn't be sure, since we hadn't checked all the movement trigger captures, and the cameras had been blind during the heavy snow over the winter. But, we liked to think he was still in there, and tonight we got our first sighting. It was only a few seconds - if you blink you miss him - but, true to form he's changing from 9f (right) to 9f (left). We don't think he's been out yet, but there's a bowl of mealworms and some water just outside, waiting for him, where they have been all winter - but not the same ones, I hasten to add - the local blackbirds and robins have been helping to clear them.
Things have been getting busy in the back garden as well. The first couple of days there only seemed to be a single hedgehog, with only one visit per night, but the number of visits has been increasing over the week, and there are definitely several hedgehogs visiting.
Most of the visits are still quite short, and most of them are only coming into the garden and standing at the ATM eating mealworms. We've only seen one visitor come as far as the edge of the lawn, and none have come down on to the patio where the three large nest boxes are. In most of the visits the hedgie comes down the alley, has a feed at the ATM and goes back up the alley, so it seems they are just coming for the known food source.
All the visitors look in good condition, very active, with no sign of ticks after the visitor on the first night. Their spines all look in good shape with none of the marks we used to identify them, so we can't say for certain if any of them are our regulars from last year, although they must be. We've seen no sign of Nightshift, and we think we would recognise her, but the others do seem to be smaller hedgehogs, so perhaps they are running short of reserves sooner than the somewhat "chunky" Nightshift.
We haven't been posting many videos yet, as there has been no real action, but hopefully things will start to get interesting.
We were fairly certain he had hibernated in one of the two semi-detached nest boxes, as we saw him go in on November 2nd 2009, and we hadn't seen him come out. We couldn't be sure, since we hadn't checked all the movement trigger captures, and the cameras had been blind during the heavy snow over the winter. But, we liked to think he was still in there, and tonight we got our first sighting. It was only a few seconds - if you blink you miss him - but, true to form he's changing from 9f (right) to 9f (left). We don't think he's been out yet, but there's a bowl of mealworms and some water just outside, waiting for him, where they have been all winter - but not the same ones, I hasten to add - the local blackbirds and robins have been helping to clear them.
Things have been getting busy in the back garden as well. The first couple of days there only seemed to be a single hedgehog, with only one visit per night, but the number of visits has been increasing over the week, and there are definitely several hedgehogs visiting.
Most of the visits are still quite short, and most of them are only coming into the garden and standing at the ATM eating mealworms. We've only seen one visitor come as far as the edge of the lawn, and none have come down on to the patio where the three large nest boxes are. In most of the visits the hedgie comes down the alley, has a feed at the ATM and goes back up the alley, so it seems they are just coming for the known food source.
All the visitors look in good condition, very active, with no sign of ticks after the visitor on the first night. Their spines all look in good shape with none of the marks we used to identify them, so we can't say for certain if any of them are our regulars from last year, although they must be. We've seen no sign of Nightshift, and we think we would recognise her, but the others do seem to be smaller hedgehogs, so perhaps they are running short of reserves sooner than the somewhat "chunky" Nightshift.
We haven't been posting many videos yet, as there has been no real action, but hopefully things will start to get interesting.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
One year ago today... day 2
Continuing the story of Twosie the hedgehog in 2008...
When we rescued the little hedgehog we weren't really prepared for a lodger, and we had to put him in a small cardboard box. The next day we found a larger box and moved him in. Here he is tucking in to some mealworms:
And here he is a little later settled down for a nap - honest, there is a hedgehog in there somewhere. We'd also put in a small litter tray, which he seems to have used.
When we rescued the little hedgehog we weren't really prepared for a lodger, and we had to put him in a small cardboard box. The next day we found a larger box and moved him in. Here he is tucking in to some mealworms:
And here he is a little later settled down for a nap - honest, there is a hedgehog in there somewhere. We'd also put in a small litter tray, which he seems to have used.
Monday, 16 November 2009
One year ago today...
...we saw a little hedgehog snuffling around outside the ATM in daylight looking for food. The little chap was too small to even climb the step into the garden, so we went out to check him over. He only weighed 290g, so we felt we had to rescue him and we took him in for the winter.
We dashed out and put a few mealworms down for him, which allowed us to pick him up with an oven glove and put him into a small cardboard box, so we could get him into the house and check him over.
Here he is in the temporary box with a little blanket, some mealworms and some water:
and here is the first good look we got of him:
At this stage we just referred to him as "Baby".
We dashed out and put a few mealworms down for him, which allowed us to pick him up with an oven glove and put him into a small cardboard box, so we could get him into the house and check him over.
Here he is in the temporary box with a little blanket, some mealworms and some water:
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Not a sighting
It appears they have all finally settled down to hibernate - we haven't had a sighting of a hedgehog since Visitor put in two surprise appearances on the evening of the 5th November.
We've still got food and water out, just in case one should wander by, but no sign. It's good news, because the weather is really turning cold and damp - 5.7 degrees C last night.
We went up to my father's for the weekend (hence the missing blog) but checked the captures from there, with no sign of a visit. The only one we couldn't keep an eye on was the boiler room, as the PC running that camera crashed while we were away. We assume Indy is still in there since we haven't seen him come out, but I suspect we won't know if he really is in there for quite some time.
We still keep an eye on the cameras as 15th November is the anniversary of us finding little Twosie in the alley in daylight. We hope we don't find another baby, but you never can tell.
While we were away the folks at the back repaired their fence, so access to the decking is restored, and if anything is slightly better, although we need to patch things up a bit on our side. The problem is getting at the fence as our giant sunflowers are in the way, although I think it's time they were cut down.
We've still got food and water out, just in case one should wander by, but no sign. It's good news, because the weather is really turning cold and damp - 5.7 degrees C last night.
We went up to my father's for the weekend (hence the missing blog) but checked the captures from there, with no sign of a visit. The only one we couldn't keep an eye on was the boiler room, as the PC running that camera crashed while we were away. We assume Indy is still in there since we haven't seen him come out, but I suspect we won't know if he really is in there for quite some time.
We still keep an eye on the cameras as 15th November is the anniversary of us finding little Twosie in the alley in daylight. We hope we don't find another baby, but you never can tell.
While we were away the folks at the back repaired their fence, so access to the decking is restored, and if anything is slightly better, although we need to patch things up a bit on our side. The problem is getting at the fence as our giant sunflowers are in the way, although I think it's time they were cut down.
Friday, 6 November 2009
Visitor Returns!
We nearly missed him, it was so quick, but Visitor returned to the garden last night. The first visit was very early (just before quarter past six) and very quick. He just came down the alley, through the ATM and disappeared. We assume he went out under the decking, but since we removed the camera from there after the fence collapse last weekend, we can't tell. We grabbed the night scope, but couldn't see him at all.
This first clip is a dual view of him coming down the alley and in the ATM. The camera labelled DECK is the old decking camera, temporarily repositioned looking down on the ATM:
And here's the normal ATM view:
We were even more surprised checking back through the triggers to find he made a second visit about half past eleven:
We wonder what is the matter with the little chap - he seems a reasonable size, and doesn't seem to be eating or drinking very much, and has been hanging around for over a week since the other hedgies went into hiding. We wonder if "he" is really a "she" and is bringing up a litter of youngsters for us to overwinter.
This first clip is a dual view of him coming down the alley and in the ATM. The camera labelled DECK is the old decking camera, temporarily repositioned looking down on the ATM:
And here's the normal ATM view:
We were even more surprised checking back through the triggers to find he made a second visit about half past eleven:
We wonder what is the matter with the little chap - he seems a reasonable size, and doesn't seem to be eating or drinking very much, and has been hanging around for over a week since the other hedgies went into hiding. We wonder if "he" is really a "she" and is bringing up a litter of youngsters for us to overwinter.
A bit late.. but nothing to report
The blog is rather late today - this is for the night before last (Wednesday 4th). Unfortunately, the only news is no news. Not a single hedgehog sighting. We hope they are all safe, and haven't chosen a bonfire to nest in. Fortunately, there aren't usually any bonfires in the gardens round us, so we're quite hopeful.
The cats are still appearing at the front, but we'll let them finish the hedgehog food and not put any more out once it's gone, but we'll keep putting the mealies and water out, just in case one of the hedgehogs wakes up feeling peckish.
The cats are still appearing at the front, but we'll let them finish the hedgehog food and not put any more out once it's gone, but we'll keep putting the mealies and water out, just in case one of the hedgehogs wakes up feeling peckish.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Indy Stays Home
We're certain it was Indy who returned to the boiler room the night before last. Last night he came out just before 8pm, spent about 8 minutes munching, then went back to bed. He next appeared about twenty-five to one, heading for the water by the front door. He then returned to the bowl for a few seconds and headed off for the front lawn for a couple of minutes, then came back and went to bed. We haven't seen him since.
We checked the rest of last night's video carefully, and we're certain he didn't sneak out, so it seems he's asleep in the boiler room. It was very chilly overnight (down to 6 degrees C) so he decided to have an early night. Could he have finally hibernated? We will see - these hedgehogs are so unpredictable!
We checked the rest of last night's video carefully, and we're certain he didn't sneak out, so it seems he's asleep in the boiler room. It was very chilly overnight (down to 6 degrees C) so he decided to have an early night. Could he have finally hibernated? We will see - these hedgehogs are so unpredictable!
Sunday, 1 November 2009
Indy returns?
Following the behaviour of the Visitor the previous night, we thought we had seen our last hedgehog of the year. This seemed to be the correct assumption last night, when we had had no visitor in the back garden by the time I went to bed around 2am.
We also thought Indy had moved out of the boiler room at the front, since we hadn't seen him for several nights.
We therefore had a surprise this afternoon when we did a quick scan of the captures from the front - we had a visit from a hedgehog, and he had moved back into 9f!
What we can't be certain of is who it is (what a surprise!) We are sure it is the hedgehog who visited the back garden three times the night before, and that it is the one we weighed the night before that. Seeing his behaviour on this clip, where he moves from 9f (right) to 9f (left) makes us think it is Indy, showing his indecision again. What we do know is that Indy wasn't our original visitor, because we did see the two of them at the same time, one at the front and one at the back.
It is therefore possible that the original Visitor was the one who did the runner the night we did the weigh-in.
The weather really broke overnight - yesterday was quite sunny and warm, but it cooled off and rained overnight, and it was very windy. You can see all the leaves which came down overnight. So, perhaps Indy has decided that his accommodation for the last few nights wasn't as good as the boiler room. We will see.
We had another surprise when we checked the cameras this morning. When we looked at the decking cam it looked very odd. We went out and checked the camera and found that the fence had partially collapsed, blocking the entrance to the decking. The fence belongs to the house at the back, not us, and has looked very unstable for quite some time. We are lucky it didn't happen a few days ago. The people at the back seemed to be away today, so we will see what happens to the fence this week. We just have to try and make sure the access under the decking remains.
We also thought Indy had moved out of the boiler room at the front, since we hadn't seen him for several nights.
We therefore had a surprise this afternoon when we did a quick scan of the captures from the front - we had a visit from a hedgehog, and he had moved back into 9f!
What we can't be certain of is who it is (what a surprise!) We are sure it is the hedgehog who visited the back garden three times the night before, and that it is the one we weighed the night before that. Seeing his behaviour on this clip, where he moves from 9f (right) to 9f (left) makes us think it is Indy, showing his indecision again. What we do know is that Indy wasn't our original visitor, because we did see the two of them at the same time, one at the front and one at the back.
It is therefore possible that the original Visitor was the one who did the runner the night we did the weigh-in.
The weather really broke overnight - yesterday was quite sunny and warm, but it cooled off and rained overnight, and it was very windy. You can see all the leaves which came down overnight. So, perhaps Indy has decided that his accommodation for the last few nights wasn't as good as the boiler room. We will see.
We had another surprise when we checked the cameras this morning. When we looked at the decking cam it looked very odd. We went out and checked the camera and found that the fence had partially collapsed, blocking the entrance to the decking. The fence belongs to the house at the back, not us, and has looked very unstable for quite some time. We are lucky it didn't happen a few days ago. The people at the back seemed to be away today, so we will see what happens to the fence this week. We just have to try and make sure the access under the decking remains.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
3 visits... but only one visitor
We had three hedgehog visits last night,but think it was the same hedgie on all three occasions. The first visit was on schedule for the regular visitor, with a good meal on the ATM, a good long drink and then out - but no visit under the decking. It was quite a long visit - over 11 minutes total, so this is at double speed.
We were then surprised to see a hedgehog arrive in the alley about 9:40 pm. We think it's the same hedgie, and just for a bite to eat, with no drink.
Finally, just before midnight, another visit, with drink. Again, the same hedgie as before, and so probably the same as one of the two from the previous night. We think it's the one we brought in for a check up and a weigh. We wonder if this is the final top-up of the year... Double speed.
And lastly, a different visitor. Maybe this little frog feels safe now Nightshift is away.
We were then surprised to see a hedgehog arrive in the alley about 9:40 pm. We think it's the same hedgie, and just for a bite to eat, with no drink.
Finally, just before midnight, another visit, with drink. Again, the same hedgie as before, and so probably the same as one of the two from the previous night. We think it's the one we brought in for a check up and a weigh. We wonder if this is the final top-up of the year... Double speed.
And lastly, a different visitor. Maybe this little frog feels safe now Nightshift is away.
Friday, 30 October 2009
A surprise visit
Since Indy departed a few nights ago, we've been down to a single visitor, arriving between 7 and 8 pm, having quite a good snack of mealworms on the ATM, a long drink on the lawn, a spell doing who-knows-what under the decking, and then a swift return through the ATM.
Last night was the same procedure, except for his innovative use of the lawn feeding bowl as a seat:
I'm still working on a customer site, which means I need up be up at 5:30, so I try and get to bed earlier than I usually do. For some reason, last night I just didn't seem to be able to drag myself off to bed - must have been my hedgie detector working overtime, because about a quarter to midnight I was just thinking I really must go to bed, when I looked at the Alley cam - to see a hedgehog! Not only that, as very short time later a second one appeared. He got a bit of a pushing from the first chap, but he stayed around and they both ended up munching on the ATM. We don't know who they were, but we were certain neither were the visitor from earlier.
We decided we'd try and give them a quick check up, in case the sudden appearance of two hedgehogs was a sign of trouble. Unfortunately, the ATM is right at the back of the pitch dark garden, so wee set off with a small torch.
The reaction of the two hedgehogs is interesting. As you can see, when they hear me, they both stop eating and look up. But then one does a runner, straight for the decking and out, whilst the other just curls up.
I couldn't even find the one who ran - he was out very quickly, but it would seem he knows his way round and is one of the regulars.
I picked the other one up and brought it in for a quick check and a weigh. We find it very difficult to judge the size of the hedgehogs on the cameras, and we felt these two were not over large. When I actually saw him close up I realised he was quite large. The weigh-in confirmed it - 845g, so this chap should be in with a good chance this winter. He was very reluctant to uncurl, so after a quick check for ticks (none, I'm happy to say) we put him back on the ATM and left him to it. It seems he got quite a fright, since he stayed curled up for six minutes before opening up and departing. Sorry, little guy, but we just wanted to make sure you were all right.
We think this warm weather must be confusing the hedgies - the minimum temperature was 12 degrees C last night. Its forecast to get colder over the weekend, so I think these chaps should settle down as well.
Last night was the same procedure, except for his innovative use of the lawn feeding bowl as a seat:
I'm still working on a customer site, which means I need up be up at 5:30, so I try and get to bed earlier than I usually do. For some reason, last night I just didn't seem to be able to drag myself off to bed - must have been my hedgie detector working overtime, because about a quarter to midnight I was just thinking I really must go to bed, when I looked at the Alley cam - to see a hedgehog! Not only that, as very short time later a second one appeared. He got a bit of a pushing from the first chap, but he stayed around and they both ended up munching on the ATM. We don't know who they were, but we were certain neither were the visitor from earlier.
We decided we'd try and give them a quick check up, in case the sudden appearance of two hedgehogs was a sign of trouble. Unfortunately, the ATM is right at the back of the pitch dark garden, so wee set off with a small torch.
The reaction of the two hedgehogs is interesting. As you can see, when they hear me, they both stop eating and look up. But then one does a runner, straight for the decking and out, whilst the other just curls up.
I couldn't even find the one who ran - he was out very quickly, but it would seem he knows his way round and is one of the regulars.
I picked the other one up and brought it in for a quick check and a weigh. We find it very difficult to judge the size of the hedgehogs on the cameras, and we felt these two were not over large. When I actually saw him close up I realised he was quite large. The weigh-in confirmed it - 845g, so this chap should be in with a good chance this winter. He was very reluctant to uncurl, so after a quick check for ticks (none, I'm happy to say) we put him back on the ATM and left him to it. It seems he got quite a fright, since he stayed curled up for six minutes before opening up and departing. Sorry, little guy, but we just wanted to make sure you were all right.
We think this warm weather must be confusing the hedgies - the minimum temperature was 12 degrees C last night. Its forecast to get colder over the weekend, so I think these chaps should settle down as well.
When the hedgehog's away...
... the cats will play. We haven't seen Indy for two days, so it does look as though he's hibernating, so we were quite excited when we saw the other mealworm bowl had been disturbed yesterday. The mealworms hadn't been eaten, just disturbed, so we wondered if Fussy, the hedgehog who doesn't like mealworms, had been around. We put some hedgehog nibbles in the two bowls at the front for last night, just in case.
When we checked this morning, the hedgehog bites had been eaten - but when we checked it was a cat, the one which had met Indy a couple of times earlier in the week. We like the way it peeps under the door when it first arrives, perhaps checking Indy has gone?
We checked through the notes, and Indy moved into 9f on the 4th October.
Meanwhile, back at the back... the visitor is still following his regular routine - mealworms at the ATM, drink on the lawn, out under the decking for half an hour, then back out through the ATM. When he reappears under the decking he's got leaves on his snout, so he's been snuffling around.
When we checked this morning, the hedgehog bites had been eaten - but when we checked it was a cat, the one which had met Indy a couple of times earlier in the week. We like the way it peeps under the door when it first arrives, perhaps checking Indy has gone?
We checked through the notes, and Indy moved into 9f on the 4th October.
Meanwhile, back at the back... the visitor is still following his regular routine - mealworms at the ATM, drink on the lawn, out under the decking for half an hour, then back out through the ATM. When he reappears under the decking he's got leaves on his snout, so he's been snuffling around.
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Au Revoir, Indy
It seems that Indy, the indecisive hedgehog who couldn't decide whether to sleep in the left-hand or right-hand nest box in the boiler room, and has been moving between the two several times each night, has finally made his mind up, and gone into hibernation.
He was very late getting up, and only had a small amount to eat before going back to bed. Then, at 3:37 am, he got up, sniffed at his food bowl and left... and he didn't come back.
He's been out for a few hours each night, hopefully building himself a nice, snug hibernaculum for the winter. so, it seems he's ready. It's been quite mild recently, although it was chilly and damp when I went out this morning, so it seems he's been taking advantage of a few extra days of feeding, but had decided it's time to go.
So, good luck for the winter, little chap, and see you in the spring.
That leaves us with just the visitor. As usual, he had a snack at the ATM, but he then went straight to the decking, and was out for about fifty minutes, before returning for a good drink one the lawn, and then out through the ATM.
It can only be another day or two before he also hibernates.
He was very late getting up, and only had a small amount to eat before going back to bed. Then, at 3:37 am, he got up, sniffed at his food bowl and left... and he didn't come back.
He's been out for a few hours each night, hopefully building himself a nice, snug hibernaculum for the winter. so, it seems he's ready. It's been quite mild recently, although it was chilly and damp when I went out this morning, so it seems he's been taking advantage of a few extra days of feeding, but had decided it's time to go.
So, good luck for the winter, little chap, and see you in the spring.
That leaves us with just the visitor. As usual, he had a snack at the ATM, but he then went straight to the decking, and was out for about fifty minutes, before returning for a good drink one the lawn, and then out through the ATM.
It can only be another day or two before he also hibernates.
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
Same procedure as last night...
Still two hedgehogs... These two chaps seem to be hanging on, and with the current mild weather we wonder how much longer they will still be around - will they get fed up waiting and hibernate anyway, or will they wait until the next cold spell.
The visitor was around for a little longer than the last few nights - we have about 14 minutes of him on video, so this clip is slightly speeded up to get it under the 10 minute youtube limit.
He was missing under the decking for over half an hour this time, instead of his customary five minutes, so we wondered if he was making up for the missed visit last night, when he was startled on the lawn. He even went back down to the lawn feeder, although he seems to be drinking more than eating.
Indy is still at the front, although he didn't come out as many times, but he's still eating, and he again went out for a couple of hours before coming back to bed for the day.
What we have noticed is that we don't need to do a "poo patrol" any more. When he first moved in, there was an awful lot of hedgie poo around. We thought he might be using one of the two nestboxes as a toilet, but think it's unlikely as he does spend a lot of time in both. We assumes he's going when he's on his travels - or the poor little chap has terrible constipation.
The visitor was around for a little longer than the last few nights - we have about 14 minutes of him on video, so this clip is slightly speeded up to get it under the 10 minute youtube limit.
He was missing under the decking for over half an hour this time, instead of his customary five minutes, so we wondered if he was making up for the missed visit last night, when he was startled on the lawn. He even went back down to the lawn feeder, although he seems to be drinking more than eating.
Indy is still at the front, although he didn't come out as many times, but he's still eating, and he again went out for a couple of hours before coming back to bed for the day.
What we have noticed is that we don't need to do a "poo patrol" any more. When he first moved in, there was an awful lot of hedgie poo around. We thought he might be using one of the two nestboxes as a toilet, but think it's unlikely as he does spend a lot of time in both. We assumes he's going when he's on his travels - or the poor little chap has terrible constipation.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
And still there are two
Nothing new to report... We still have two hedgehogs around. It seems very strange that we are still getting two hedgehogs when all the other hedgies disappeared a good few days ago.
The visitor came in, but didn't make it as far as the decking - he was on the lawn feeder when something startled him. We think it was next door closing their back door. Whatever it was, he beat a hasty retreat out of the ATM.
Indy is still living at the front, and he's still out exploring for a couple of hours in the early hours of the morning. Here he arrives back home, without stopping for anything to eat.
The visitor came in, but didn't make it as far as the decking - he was on the lawn feeder when something startled him. We think it was next door closing their back door. Whatever it was, he beat a hasty retreat out of the ATM.
Indy is still living at the front, and he's still out exploring for a couple of hours in the early hours of the morning. Here he arrives back home, without stopping for anything to eat.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Windy for Indy
It was very windy last night, and many of the leaves came down, so that the trees across the road from us have lost many of their leaves, and the lawn and the garden and the road are covered in leaves. It would be ideal nesting material for the hedgehogs, if they hadn't already disappeared, we hope safely into hibernacula for the winter.
The disappearance was so quick we still have a worry that something happened to almost all of the local hedgehogs, but we hope they are all right.
The wind blew the boiler room door open, so we got a better view of Indy going into 9f (left). We were worried the extra accessibility might frighten him off, but it didn't seem to bother him. He left the area for a couple of hours and then came back about 4am this morning (which would have been 5am if we hadn't put the clocks back). He didn't eat as much as he has the last few nights.
The visitor is still coming, surprisingly. He came in through the ATM and went out under the decking within three minutes flat, before returning back in under the decking about a half an hour later, but at least this time on his way back out, he decided to made a detour to the lawn feeder for a brief snack and quite a lot to drink before heading through the ATM into the alley.
On the bird front, the starlings were back in force this morning, two brief visits with probably about forty birds descending on the garden for a couple of minutes, clearing up all the mealworms in the hedgehog bowls. We had three blackbirds on the front lawn, and one in the back, the first blackbirds we've seen for several weeks.
The camera we have looking over the garden has quite spectacular views of all the starlings, but the video compression can't cope with the speed the birds move at, so we will try it on the DVD recorder, since it now seems redundant in its task of monitoring the hedgehogs on the patio.
The disappearance was so quick we still have a worry that something happened to almost all of the local hedgehogs, but we hope they are all right.
The wind blew the boiler room door open, so we got a better view of Indy going into 9f (left). We were worried the extra accessibility might frighten him off, but it didn't seem to bother him. He left the area for a couple of hours and then came back about 4am this morning (which would have been 5am if we hadn't put the clocks back). He didn't eat as much as he has the last few nights.
The visitor is still coming, surprisingly. He came in through the ATM and went out under the decking within three minutes flat, before returning back in under the decking about a half an hour later, but at least this time on his way back out, he decided to made a detour to the lawn feeder for a brief snack and quite a lot to drink before heading through the ATM into the alley.
On the bird front, the starlings were back in force this morning, two brief visits with probably about forty birds descending on the garden for a couple of minutes, clearing up all the mealworms in the hedgehog bowls. We had three blackbirds on the front lawn, and one in the back, the first blackbirds we've seen for several weeks.
The camera we have looking over the garden has quite spectacular views of all the starlings, but the video compression can't cope with the speed the birds move at, so we will try it on the DVD recorder, since it now seems redundant in its task of monitoring the hedgehogs on the patio.
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Indy stands his ground
We had a surprise tonight - a visitor in the back garden. Since he didn't come last night, we assumed he was hibernating, but apparently not just yet. Mind you, he didn't hang around. A quick snack at the ATM, then out under the decking for a couple of minutes, then back in, across to the ATM and out. We really wonder what is so interesting under the decking that they all visit, but for only a few minutes. We have still put food and water out in the usual places, just in case we do get a hungry visitor.
Indy is still in residence at the front, tucking in to his mealworms. We tried him with a little digestive biscuit last night. He had a little, but he still prefers mealworms.
He was a little wary when he first came out, giving the air a good sniff. It soon becomes apparent what he was sniffing - a cat. Last night, he beat a hasty retreat when the cat came, but he stood his ground and carried on munching.
He was still with us today, still changing sides! We are becoming very attached to the little chap.
Indy is still in residence at the front, tucking in to his mealworms. We tried him with a little digestive biscuit last night. He had a little, but he still prefers mealworms.
He was a little wary when he first came out, giving the air a good sniff. It soon becomes apparent what he was sniffing - a cat. Last night, he beat a hasty retreat when the cat came, but he stood his ground and carried on munching.
He was still with us today, still changing sides! We are becoming very attached to the little chap.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Indy gets a fright
Indy is still around - but last night he was the only hedgehog we saw. The visitor in the back didn't appear, so it looks like he, too, has gone into hibernation.
Indy is still up and about, but he's not been eating so much the last couple of nights. He wasn't away for very long, either, compared to the previous night, so maybe he is thinking of hibernating with us.
He is still using both halves of the nest box. If anything we think he prefers the left-hand one, which is on the house side, and so may be a little warmer, but he still uses the right-hand one quite a lot.
He had a bit of a shock tonight, as he was tucking in to his mealworms, when a cat appeared, and he dashed for cover. He was in for quite a while before he reappeared, but at least he'd had quite a good feed. We love the way his nose goes up and he sniffs when the cat arrives.
Indy is still up and about, but he's not been eating so much the last couple of nights. He wasn't away for very long, either, compared to the previous night, so maybe he is thinking of hibernating with us.
He is still using both halves of the nest box. If anything we think he prefers the left-hand one, which is on the house side, and so may be a little warmer, but he still uses the right-hand one quite a lot.
He had a bit of a shock tonight, as he was tucking in to his mealworms, when a cat appeared, and he dashed for cover. He was in for quite a while before he reappeared, but at least he'd had quite a good feed. We love the way his nose goes up and he sniffs when the cat arrives.
Hanging in there...
Surprisingly, we still had two hedgehogs last night. The regular visitor actually showed up again and put in 3 appearences no less. His first visit was very brief - up the alley and in through the ATM, with a brief stop at the lawn feeder for a quick snack and a drink before heading out under the decking. His second visit was unfortunately cut short by me opening the back door. Part way through in the following video compilation of his visits, you can see him prickle up, probably at the first sound of the key in the lock. He then curls up completely, before making a hasty exit. Sorry! His third visit was also incredibly brief - he dashes in under the decking and out again via the ATM in three minutes flat.
Indy is still there, but checking the videos he was away for nearly five hours during the night. We were hoping he'd decided to hibernate in 9f, but we wonder if he's found somewhere more suitable, and is perhaps building himself a hibernaculum. Either way, I don't think we'll be seeing him much longer. This is all we saw of him, at 3x normal speed.
We'll still be looking out for autumn juveniles. Last autumn, although we didn't have anything like as many hedgehogs as we did this year, they had stopped visiting. Nightshift was hibernating in 9b, and we thought that was it. Then, a couple of weeks after the last sighting, we saw Twosie in the alley, in daylight. We don't know where he'd been hiding - perhaps he'd tried hibernating.
Indy is still there, but checking the videos he was away for nearly five hours during the night. We were hoping he'd decided to hibernate in 9f, but we wonder if he's found somewhere more suitable, and is perhaps building himself a hibernaculum. Either way, I don't think we'll be seeing him much longer. This is all we saw of him, at 3x normal speed.
We'll still be looking out for autumn juveniles. Last autumn, although we didn't have anything like as many hedgehogs as we did this year, they had stopped visiting. Nightshift was hibernating in 9b, and we thought that was it. Then, a couple of weeks after the last sighting, we saw Twosie in the alley, in daylight. We don't know where he'd been hiding - perhaps he'd tried hibernating.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Still two... just
The last hedgehog sighting of the year can only be a few days away now. We still saw two hedgies, but for greatly reduced time.
A visitor still arrived,
but didn't go down to the lawn feeder for a snack, instead going straight out under the decking.
So that leaves us with Indy. He's still up, but even he was less active. He only appeared four times, half the number of the previous night. Although he did leave the area, it was only for a few minutes, probably for the loo. Not only that, he only ate about half the food on the bowl, whereas that last few nights he's completely cleared it.
It was very wet, so that may have affected him, but we think he's just getting ready to hibernate. Wonder if we'll see him tonight?
A visitor still arrived,
but didn't go down to the lawn feeder for a snack, instead going straight out under the decking.
So that leaves us with Indy. He's still up, but even he was less active. He only appeared four times, half the number of the previous night. Although he did leave the area, it was only for a few minutes, probably for the loo. Not only that, he only ate about half the food on the bowl, whereas that last few nights he's completely cleared it.
It was very wet, so that may have affected him, but we think he's just getting ready to hibernate. Wonder if we'll see him tonight?
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