Hi Nic
So grateful for all the advice you supply, like others I want to help not hinder hedgehogs.
My previous peek into the houses was just that – lifting the roof a corner an inch or two worried I’d disturb. Today I had a better look in both houses and they are completely empty ! A few odd dried leaves but frankly nothing to show any use at all by hedgehogs.
I’m a bit disappointed as I had noticed a sort of path/walkway to the entrances, but they know best where to live don’t they? Probably under my sheds is perfect?
I’ll give them a hot water scrub anyway on a dry day, just in case someone is looking for a sturdy, well built home for the winter !
I’ve not seen any young either so is that a sign I’m not providing the right environment here? Plenty of wood and leaf piles plus substantial undergrowth in the shrub border which I assumed perfect for wildlife.
Next door is a junior school with tarmac and also a 12 foot drop, so I don’t
want to encourage hoggies that way. The other side is a weekend property, but hoggies would need to climb a 4 ft wall to access that (steep hill here).
At the rear a very steep wildish area, maybe hog accessible though impenetrable to me.
I’ll keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully it helps.
.
