Hi Sean Reagan
I’m sad that you feel like that. We always only have the best interests of the hogs at heart – which hopefully you will understand being so fond of Harry.
If it turns out that Harry stays in your garden over winter, which it seems likely he will, please take note of what Stef said about hibernation. i.e. that hogs move hibernacula during the hibernation period. Harry will need several potential hibernating sites – hog boxes, or bottoms of hedges, etc. Their preferred hibernating nest building material is medium sized leaves, long grasses, etc.- loads of them which are best left nearby to potential hibernation sites (and yes, they do also sometimes take in green plant material, as you discovered) . Most hogs prefer to make their own nests and are expert at doing so. Some will even empty a box of nesting material which a human has kindly put in there for them!
It’s a good idea to leave water available for the hogs all day every day, even in the winter – just in case a hog comes out of hibernation desperate for a drink. Wide but shallow plant saucers are ideal. Shallow enough that no hog (including hoglets) can get trapped in them.
Hibernation is always a worrying time, but I hope Harry manages o.k. Fingers crossed for him.
