Hello,
Apologies if there is a relevant post elsewhere.
I have been feeding my hedgehogs for a year or so, and I bought them a house a few months ago which is often used as shelter but no permanent resident as yet. All have been looking wonderfully plump, happy and healthy, and well prepped for the season ahead. However this morning when I went out there was some almost fluorescent blue bits in with some poop. The poop was not solid but I had had torrential rain the last day or two so this may have watered it down. I do not use slug pellets or anything harmful myself, and have made my own space as wildlife friendly as possible but of course this does not mean a neighbour has done the same. I reluctantly looked inside the house in case a poorly hedgey had gone inside, thankfully no one home, and I have had a good gander around and again no sign.
I feel somewhat in a predicament about what to do. Is it ill advised to continue feeding and attracting them to my garden if a neighbour may unwittingly be doing them harm as they travel to mine? I worry now they have found a place of safety here and a good source of food (not just bought food but I have made my planting and garden a place where natural grub should be abundant), that taking that away could equally be risky when they are about to go in to hibernation and need as much help as possible. I live in a rural area and from what I have read they are more on the decline here rather than urban areas. It has brought me such joy seeing my little visitors of an evening, but my joy is of no importance if they are put in harms way by another’s actions.
Any advice given would be appreciated.
Birdy