Gas works

[Laura_in_Cumbria]

Hi All,

We have gasworks starting on our street next week and they are going to have to dig up our drive.

I have two hedgehogs sleeping in nests about two metres away from our gas box. Should I move them? I don’t want to disturb them unless I have to but there’s going to be workmen using very loud machinery very close to them and there will be an open hole while they are working on it so I don’t want them getting injured.

Has anyone had a similar issue? Advice please.

Thanks

[Nic]

Hi Laura in Cumbria

Hope this isn’t too late! If the hogs are just spending the day in nearby hog houses, I imagine they will move themselves if they don’t like the noise.

Re. any open holes, check them regularly, but also ask the workmen to put a sloping plank in the holes so any hedgehogs could escape if necessary. Hopefully that won’t be necessary but better safe then sorry. But if any hogs get stuck in a hole, be prepared in case they need checking over by a hedgehog carer/rehabilitator.

Good luck.

[Laura_in_Cumbria]

Hi Nic,

Thank you for the response. So just to give an update, we’ve had the gas works ongoing for the last couple of weeks. The first night the trench was open I went out with a torch to check for hogs and sure enough one of them had fallen in, we managed to get her out and she scurried off into the bushes, I think she was tired as there was water in the hole and she’d been swimming but she seemed uninjured thankfully. We asked the gas engineers nicely if they wouldn’t mind putting the plank (that we provided) back in the hole after they finished each day but they never did so we put it in ourselves each evening and we haven’t found any hedgehogs stuck in the hole since.

The hedgehogs have stayed in their nests until yesterday when we had our gas pipes swapped over, there was a really strong lingering smell of gas outside near the nests and I think they finally had enough as when looking on the wildlife camera they both left last night and didn’t come back.

There’s currently some engineers outside filling in the trench so I’m hoping once they move away and things go back to normal the hedgehogs might start coming back.

I’m going to make sure they’ve got plenty of nest material, food and water available so I may be able to entice them back *fingers crossed*

The Gas Network are currently replacing all the old metal pipes for plastic ones throughout the country so no doubt some of you other hedgehog supporters will have similar issues. Hope this post provides some insight on this issue.

Thanks

Laura

[Celeste]

Sorry, I was not able to help you initially but thank you for your update.
My town also presently undergoing major gas works so your experience/advice is invaluable (and for all those in towns yet to come!)
‘Walking the plank’ takes on an entirely different connation when saving a wet, exhausted hedgehog; wonderful that you cared and took the time.
Sure they will return to you soon.

[Laura_in_Cumbria]

Thanks Celeste, I’m sure our neighbours must have thought we were barmy with our stylish outfits of pjs, wellies and head torches in the middle of the night but it’s worth it for the hedgehogs 🙂

They have since been back to feed but no sleepovers yet, I’m hopeful that we’ll get residents again at hibernation time.

[Nic]

Hi Laura

Well done for rescuing the hog. Also for asking the gas engineers to put in a plank – even if it didn’t work this time. The more people who ask, the more normal the idea will become. Wouldn’t it be nice if eventually they automatically put in planks without being asked! As you say, worth the effort for the hedgehogs.

Fingers crosssed that your hedgehog tenants returned safe and well.

Happy hog watching!

[Author]

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