More than 180 frames, to help hedgehogs access garden habitats and avoid busy roads, have been supplied to East Riding of Yorkshire Council for use by local residents.
The ‘hogways’ were donated by East Yorkshire-based manufacturer Timloc and are made of recycle and recyclable materials. They are designed to be fit around small holes in gates and fences, to enable hedgehogs to travel between gardens and avoid busy roads. By linking gardens together, they enable hedgehogs to safely access food, water and shelter.
Frames will be provided to the Molescroft Wildlife Network and the Greener Pocklington groups to be distributed among the local community. They will also be available at the upcoming open day at Tophill Low Nature Reserve, and at Driffield Show.
All residents are encouraged to record when they see a hedgehog in their garden or local area. Residents with hogways are also encouraged to add them to the Hedgehog Preservation Society’s Big Hedgehog Map.
Residents are also encouraged to create their own hogways, by cutting hedgehog-sized (13 x 13 cm) openings in their gates and fences where a lack of gaps presently excludes spiny visitors.
The initiative comes alongside National Hedgehog Awareness Week, from Sunday 3 to Saturday 9 May, which encourages residents to take active steps to support hedgehogs in their neighbourhood.
Once a familiar sight, hedgehog populations have declined by up to 75% in rural areas and 30% in towns since 2000.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council also supports the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy (HEY LNRS), for which the hedgehog is a flagship species.
Councillor Paul West, East Riding of Yorkshire Council cabinet member for environment and transport said: “We’re delighted to promote the environment in the East Riding, and this is a fantastic way we can play our part to support local wildlife. We encourage all residents to install their own hogways, and log any hedgehogs they see.”
Residents can log their hogways, or hedgehog sightings at https://bighedgehogmap.org/
More information about steps that residents can take to support hedgehogs can be found at https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/take-the-hedgehog-pledge-this-hedgehog-awareness-week/
Photo credit: Holly Fox
