It's time to dive into the data from this year's hedgehog sightings survey! A big thank you to everyone who took part this year.

Hedgehogs are undoubtedly one of the UK's most-loved species, even being selected via a recent public vote to feature on our new wildlife-themed bank notes in the near future.

However they still face many challenges including habitat loss and declines in their natural food sources, with their status remaining as Near Threatened on the IUCN's Red List. That's why building an understanding of how they are doing, and how we can help them, is so important.

This year's numbers at a glance

We received 1,500 responses this year, recording sightings of 2,322 hedgehogs in total.

This is a significant increase from the last few years. By comparison, in 2025 we received 757 sightings of 1,135 hedgehogs and in 2024 we received 740 sightings of 1,147 hedgehogs.

While we would love to be able to say that this increase in sightings points to an increase in actual hedgehog numbers, we don't have enough evidence to suggest this. It is more likely that this year's survey simply attracted more participants than previous years thanks to the enthusiasm of those taking part and their efforts to share it with others.

It's wonderful to see the level of public interest around using our gardens and green spaces to monitor and help wildlife, and we hope to see this interest continue growing in the future!

Look back at the last few years' results here: 2025 / 2024 / 2023 / 2022 / 2021

How are hedgehogs faring this year?

Lone vs groups

Parents/young?

Sick/injured

Rescued

Deceased / roadkill / not seen any

Where were the most popular sighting locations?

Of this year's sightings, here is how they broke down by region:

• Lancashire: 762
• Greater Manchester: 247
• Merseyside: 235
• Other: 256

We believe the reason we received so many sightings from outside of our region this year was due to the popularity of one or two specific posts on social media which were shared widely. We are grateful to everyone who took part, and although we sadly won't be able to pass on any sightings from outside of our region to the relevant counties' local records centres, it's very encouraging to see people's enthusiasm for helping hedgehogs all over the country.

This year's sighting hotspots by town/city

Here were the most-mentioned towns and cities from this year's participants:

Preston: 197

Liverpool: 101

Chorley: 73

Southport: 69

Wigan: 67

Ormskirk: 67

Manchester: 65

Bolton: 65

Lancaster: 46

Leyland: 44

The top five locations last year were Preston, Liverpool, Lancaster, Manchester and Bolton.

What environments were hedgehogs spotted in?

Garden/yard

Road/street

Drive/driveway

Park/allotment

Field/countryside/rural

Woodland/woods

Take a look at the interactive map below to dive into this year's results and see how many hedgehogs were spotted in your area!

This year's good news

The most recent State of Britain's Hedgehogs report from 2022 suggested that hedgehogs' numbers may have been starting to show signs of recovery in urban environments, after many decades of long decline. 

Seeing the sheer number of actions that people are taking to help hedgehogs in their gardens, it's clear that this is having a positive impact and giving hedgehogs a much needed lifeline.

Food

Water

House

Highway / gap in fence

Nest

Below are some more images......

Why your sightings are so important

Link to local records centres

People outside our region....

All year round - link to wildlife recording / big hedgehog map page. 

Every bit of citizen science contributes to a wider understanding of how wild species like hedgehogs are faring, where they are doing well and what challenges they are facing.

Local records centres will use these sightings to help inform.....

More ways to help hedgehogs all year round

• Safe, cosy hibernation spots - don't disturb them if you come across one
• Encourage their natural food sources (beetles, worms, caterpillars and other invertebrates) by going pesticide/chemical-free
• Provide fresh, clean water (especially in periods of drought or very cold weather) and supplementary food where appropriate
• Let your garden grow wild! A patch of grass left to grow long, leaf pile or shrubby, less tended-to area of garden makes a perfect......
• Always check for hedgehogs and other wildlife before strimming or mowing in your garden; they like a quiet, cosy spot.

For lots more advice on how to turn your garden or yard into a hedgehog haven, download our free Help a Hog guide below.

Help a Hog guide