I’ve a number of hedgehogs visiting which this year I’m encouraging with feeding-stations and houses and including some releases from the local hedgehog rescue group.
I was saddened to find a deceased hedgehog this morning beneath my apple tree. No obvious sign of injury, but bleeding from the mouth. On closer examination I was disturbed to find a very heavy burden of ticks (more than a dozen).
This has made me anxious about the rest of my garden population.
Normally I try to keep disturbance down to an absolute minimum (usually chance encounters as I renew the feed after dark, otherwise I rely on straws across entrances and a trail-cam to keep track of activity.
I’m now wondering if I should be more pro-active in occasionally handling and checking, or just keep my fingers crossed and let nature take its course, only intervening when its obvious something is wrong (which is my inclination).
