HEDGEHOGS in steep decline in UK

In addition to the stark dilemma birds such as Turtle Dove, Common Cuckoo, Corn Bunting, Grey Partridge, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Skylark, Tree Pipit, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Redstart and other farmland species are in throughout rural Britain, I can now confirm that Hedgehogs have dropped in numbers drastically in the past 50 years - in fact by over 25% since just 1990.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has found that diminishing hedgerows have been the key reason for such major declines as well as the intensive use of pesticides, both in the countryside and in suburban gardens. A lack of insect food has been critical, whilst in some areas, predation by Badgers has been a major cause of concern.

Lee Evans