Search
Close this search box.

Hedgehogs

As the UK population of hedgehogs continues to decline, urban areas are becoming sites of safer refuge. The good news is that we can all play a vital role in bolstering their numbers.

Hedgehog Surveys

Exact population data can be hard to determine because hedgehogs are nocturnal and notoriously tricky to survey. However, since 2018 we have worked in collaboration with ZSL to survey Barnes and Putney Lower Commons with the use of wildlife camera traps.

In 2019, the survey was expanded to cover all of the green corridor between Richmond Park and Barnes Common. This added Palewell Common, Roehampton Club and Bank of England Club.

Survey Results

2018, 2019, 2020, 2022.

Barnes Hedgehogs

The founders of Barnes Hedgehogs, Michel and Robin have invited Barnes Common to take on the species champion role and help the survival of these threatened mammals. We are pleased to do this alongside our related work on hedgehogs and other species within the Richmond Biodiversity Group’s habitat and species action plans.

Barnes Hedgehogs was created 12 years ago by local resident Michel G. Birkenwald, who realised that connecting fragmented garden habitats can help the local hedgehog population.

Local volunteers and founders, Michel and Robin continue to offer a service to cut small access holes in fences as part of the construction of the Barnes Hedgehog Highway. They have cut well over a thousand holes in the area, including Mortlake, Putney, Sheen and Richmond.

Barnes Hedgehogs has become a neighbourhood project and locals really take responsibility for their hedgehogs. The Hedgehog Superhighway has contributed to the growth of the local hedgehog population a great deal and since its inception many more sightings have been reported.

They drill in timber fences, brick walls and we also have a tunnelling solution system.

They already have a network of gardens across Barnes, so why not add yours to it! We would love to get everyone involved so please book your hedgehog hole cutting appointment today via Eventbrite

If you’re interested in helping this project by volunteering, please get in touch!

Do’s and Don’ts:

  • Do leave plenty of drinking water out for our visits.
  • Slug pellets and pesticides kill us!
  • Don’t be afraid of rodents visiting – they climb, we crawl!
  • Plastic rubbish kills us and our friends.
  • Only feed us meat based dog or cat food, no milk, no bread and no mealworms.
  • Cut a hole in your fence the size of a CD and we’ll visit!
  • Bonfires, strimmers, mowers, cars, netting and ponds all kill us!

If you find a hedgehog during the day or injured, please take them to a local vet – our recommendation is James Champion at Medivet on Church Road. You can also take hedgehogs to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire (24-hr phone line 01844292292).
Do not call the RSPCA, their advice is to take the hedgehog to a wildlife rescue centre (the nearest one is in Hastings).

Sightings on Barnes Common and Leg o’Mutton Reserve can be reported to Will.

Additional information can also be found at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and Hedgehog Street.

Hedgehogs

As the UK population of hedgehogs continues to decline, urban areas are becoming sites of safer refuge. The good news is that we can all play a vital role in bolstering their numbers.

Hedgehog Surveys

Exact population data can be hard to determine because hedgehogs are nocturnal and notoriously tricky to survey. However, since 2018 we have worked in collaboration with ZSL to survey Barnes and Putney Lower Commons with the use of wildlife camera traps.

In 2019, the survey was expanded to cover all of the green corridor between Richmond Park and Barnes Common. This added Palewell Common, Roehampton Club and Bank of England Club.

Survey Results

2018, 2019, 2020, 2022.

Barnes Hedgehogs

The founders of Barnes Hedgehogs, Michel and Robin have invited Barnes Common to take on the species champion role and help the survival of these threatened mammals. We are pleased to do this alongside our related work on hedgehogs and other species within the Richmond Biodiversity Group’s habitat and species action plans.

Barnes Hedgehogs was created 12 years ago by local resident Michel G. Birkenwald, who realised that connecting fragmented garden habitats can help the local hedgehog population.

Local volunteers and founders, Michel and Robin continue to offer a service to cut small access holes in fences as part of the construction of the Barnes Hedgehog Highway. They have cut well over a thousand holes in the area, including Mortlake, Putney, Sheen and Richmond.

Barnes Hedgehogs has become a neighbourhood project and locals really take responsibility for their hedgehogs. The Hedgehog Superhighway has contributed to the growth of the local hedgehog population a great deal and since its inception many more sightings have been reported.

They drill in timber fences, brick walls and we also have a tunnelling solution system.

They already have a network of gardens across Barnes, so why not add yours to it! We would love to get everyone involved so please book your hedgehog hole cutting appointment today via Eventbrite

If you’re interested in helping this project by volunteering, please get in touch!

Do’s and Don’ts:

  • Do leave plenty of drinking water out for our visits.
  • Slug pellets and pesticides kill us!
  • Don’t be afraid of rodents visiting – they climb, we crawl!
  • Plastic rubbish kills us and our friends.
  • Only feed us meat based dog or cat food, no milk, no bread and no mealworms.
  • Cut a hole in your fence the size of a CD and we’ll visit!
  • Bonfires, strimmers, mowers, cars, netting and ponds all kill us!

If you find a hedgehog during the day or injured, please take them to a local vet – our recommendation is James Champion at Medivet on Church Road. You can also take hedgehogs to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire (24-hr phone line 01844292292).
Do not call the RSPCA, their advice is to take the hedgehog to a wildlife rescue centre (the nearest one is in Hastings).

Sightings on Barnes Common and Leg o’Mutton Reserve can be reported to Will.

Additional information can also be found at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and Hedgehog Street.

Related links

Flora

Fauna

Support Us