Dead hedgehog on road.

[Leodian]

I would have expected that hedgehogs would have been in hibernation by now. It was therefore saddening to notice on Sunday morning on a side road where I live (north Leeds) that there was a dead hedgehog. It was being eaten by a crow and some magpies when the crow left it. In very early afternoon 2 Red Kites were hovering around but they flew away without coming down (they eat carrion). I passed the carcass today and it was clearly very recently dead and looked to have been runover. It was not that big an hedgehog so I wonder if it was still trying to get enough food to enable it to survive hibernation. Surely the 'mild' weather spell had not brought it out of hibernation.

[chameleon]

Leodian wrote: I would have expected that hedgehogs would have been in hibernation by now. It was therefore saddening to notice on Sunday morning on a side road where I live (north Leeds) that there was a dead hedgehog. It was being eaten by a crow and some magpies when the crow left it. In very early afternoon 2 Red Kites were hovering around but they flew away without coming down (they eat carrion). I passed the carcass today and it was clearly very recently dead and looked to have been runover. It was not that big an hedgehog so I wonder if it was still trying to get enough food to enable it to survive hibernation. Surely the 'mild' weather spell had not brought it out of hibernation. The long summer and mild autumn seems to haver lead to a large number of 'second litters' this year.To be able to survive hibernation, they have to reach at least 450g, better still 600g - this sudden arrival of deep winter has come right at the time when they would be feeding hard ready for this, which means struggling to find food and having insuficient in reserve to enter hibernation thus, you'll see them out and about instead of sleeping.We have had a pair of youngsters visiting in the evenings for some time. When the snow arrived, the larger of the two disappeared, presumably managing to do as nature intends and hibernating (though they may come out again before winter proper).The smaller one was seen one afternoon digging in the snow on the patio, seemingly living in a sheltered area on there. At only 300g he had no chance so, in he came. The local rescue group couldn't take him so with confirmation of how to proceed, he is living in his own bedroom in a large enclosed run, with straw filled sleeping quarters, scoffing upto 2 pouches of cat food + meal worms, per night.Doensn't like being disturbed either and grumbles and grunts like a trooper when being cleaned out! If the weather warms up, he may move to the greenhouse and hibernate when it turns colder again but, it's likely he will be with us until spring I think.Word of warning if you take pity on one - they do rarther nif a bit but tolerable and he deserves a chance     

[Leodian]

Thanks for that explanation chameleon. As the dead hegehog was smallish I guess it may have been a second litter one that may not have survived the winter anyhow. Survival must be very difficult for animals and birds in the recent (and soon coming back) very cold spell. When I was in town last Friday I noticed what I think was a pied wagtail (or a very similar looking bird) picking up bits on Briggate. That may be the first time I've seen one there, presumably trying to survive where there is shelter and possibly food to be had.

[chameleon]

Leodian wrote: Thanks for that explanation chameleon. As the dead hegehog was smallish I guess it may have been a second litter one that may not have survived the winter anyhow. Survival must be very difficult for animals and birds in the recent (and soon coming back) very cold spell. When I was in town last Friday I noticed what I think was a pied wagtail (or a very similar looking bird) picking up bits on Briggate. That may be the first time I've seen one there, presumably trying to survive where there is shelter and possibly food to be had. Jays are very shy birds but again this year we have a pair at least, readily visiting the garden to feed - less so as the snow goes - recoken they know we don't fly south!

[cnosni]

Leodian wrote: Thanks for that explanation chameleon. As the dead hegehog was smallish I guess it may have been a second litter one that may not have survived the winter anyhow. Survival must be very difficult for animals and birds in the recent (and soon coming back) very cold spell. When I was in town last Friday I noticed what I think was a pied wagtail (or a very similar looking bird) picking up bits on Briggate. That may be the first time I've seen one there, presumably trying to survive where there is shelter and possibly food to be had. Saw about 20-25 pied waggies setting down to roost in the trees in Dortmund Square the other night.

[Leodian]

cnosni wrote: Leodian wrote: Thanks for that explanation chameleon. As the dead hegehog was smallish I guess it may have been a second litter one that may not have survived the winter anyhow. Survival must be very difficult for animals and birds in the recent (and soon coming back) very cold spell. When I was in town last Friday I noticed what I think was a pied wagtail (or a very similar looking bird) picking up bits on Briggate. That may be the first time I've seen one there, presumably trying to survive where there is shelter and possibly food to be had. Saw about 20-25 pied waggies setting down to roost in the trees in Dortmund Square the other night. Wow, they are far more common in town than I knew. I must have been very unobservant not to notice them! Perhaps it is them that are dropping most of the poo on the benches in Dortmund Square (see another thread of mine).

[Leeds Hippo]

Slightly off topic but has anyone seen the large flock of lapwings that used to roost on the roof of B and Q on the Ring Road. I occassionally see them flying over the Lowfields Road area near Elland Road. On another topic - a heron took 4 of my goldfish out of the garden pond the other week in Wortley - the thing is a monster - though it is great to see birds like this in the area.

[jim]

Must be over from Germany..........They're always talking about "Mein heron"!

[cnosni]

Leeds Hippo wrote: Slightly off topic but has anyone seen the large flock of lapwings that used to roost on the roof of B and Q on the Ring Road. I occassionally see them flying over the Lowfields Road area near Elland Road. On another topic - a heron took 4 of my goldfish out of the garden pond the other week in Wortley - the thing is a monster - though it is great to see birds like this in the area. Yeah they roost on the flat roof's of the neaby industrial units,nice and safe on a night if a little exposed

[simpotts]

saw a hedgehog on our road this morning,must have been 12 inches long,bet it was only six before it got ran over....