Hedgehog populations have been declining in the UK, but our gardens could provide a refuge. Rural populations of hedgehogs have declined by 30-75 per cent in different areas of our countryside, however the urban hedgehog population is showing signs of stabilising.

By recording where we have (or just as importantly haven’t) seen a hedgehog we can build up a vital picture of how the hedgehog population is faring across our region. With gardens becoming some of the most important habitats for hedgehogs in the UK, getting this information will allow the wildlife trust to understand where conservation work needs to be targeted.

Alan Wright, Communications and Campaigns Manager for The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, said: “We are asking everyone to go onto our website and fill in our simple ‘Hedgehog Hotspot’ form – and that’s whether you have seen a hedgehog, or if you haven’t. It only takes a minute or two and this information will be passed onto our local environmental records centres, allowing us to build up both a regional and national picture of how these beloved garden visitors are doing.”

Help a hog and record your sightings

Make a hedgehog highway – no one garden is big enough to support a hedgehog so making small 13 x 13cm holes (the size of a cd) in the base of fences or walls will allow hedgehogs to travel around safely.

Encourage insects – leaving a wild area, not cutting back vegetation over winter, and going chemical free will encourage lots of lovely insects into your garden which are hedgehogs’ favourite food. Not using herbicides on your lawn will also encourage lots of earthworms.

Create a hedgehog home – a simple piles of logs in a quiet corner of your garden can make the perfect home for hedgehogs during their daytime naps or to hibernate in. You could even go the whole hog and build a special hedgehog house.

Make your pond safe – hedgehogs are great swimmers, but need a shallow slope to get out of water if they fall in. Add a ramp or pile of stones to ponds to allow easy access for hedgehogs and lots of other garden visitors.

Be careful with bonfires – a lovely pile of wood makes an inviting home for a hedgehog, so either only build your bonfire on the day you intend to burn it or move it before burning to avoid hedgehogs meeting a grizzly end.

The recent trend of a stabilisation in urban hedgehog populations shows just how important local and individual actions are. Just taking a few small steps can really make a difference.