It has been a bit of a busy week or so - it may surprise some of you that there is more going on than just hedgehogs in my life! Last Thursday saw the launch of The Beaver Book - which does not mention hedgehogs once ... I was tempted to write a bit about how the amazing ecosystem engineering of the beaver helps create the sort of heterogeneous landscape beloved of our prickly friends, but felt that was too much. Anyway - as I often say - I have no 'job' so please accept the blatant advert in good spirits (the link takes you to the wonderful bookshop, WildSounds who are offering it at a discount! It is also available at all good book shops and even those online retailers who would rather spend what should have been given in taxes to help people on a suspiciously shaped rocket!)

Back to business though - and the photo with this update - wow - I don't think I have ever been as excited at a building site hoarding as this one! It was quite a while back that we (with my BHPS hat on) began talking to Bovis. They were keen to get involved with helping hedgehogs - but I was very much on guard about the potential to use a trivial offer of help as a bit of greenwash - and told them so ... also pointing out that I cut my campaigning teeth at Twyford Down in the early 90s and will happily sit in front of a bulldozer again if there is a need!

But Bovis seem to be sticking to their word - they are building in Hedgehog Highways. And why? Because of us lot! Yes, it was vital to have the BHPS pushing things along, but our collective voice is very powerful.

Now, I am not complacent. Not only do we need to get EVERY developer doing this ... because I really doubt whether this government will ever do the right thing and grant hogs the extra protection they need ... but we need the developers who do it to then take another step. 

Putting in a hedgehog highway is poor compensation if the development wipes out the resident hedgehogs ... so we need the surveys to include searching for and removing to safety any hedgehogs before clearance work begins. Because of the lack of legislation protecting hedgehogs, there is no compulsion on developers to do that ... but if we keep asking, politely and persistently, maybe that will change too ... I sense another petition coming on!

For now though, I am just thrilled at what we have all helped to achieve ... we should celebrate with a cake ... and if Bovis had not butted in there with this wonderful thing, it would have been another cake for the photo as the Hedgehog Street Bake Off has announced its winners! The photo in that link is just amazing! Maybe there will be more in time for the next update!

I know that some of you don't use Facebook so this paragraph will be redundant ... however, the Hedgehog Highways group I set up, and run with the ever patient Rose and Jacqueline, is going to be launching its own competition very soon ... join up to see what is coming!

The Bovis sign photograph is by Tracey Flowers - I have messaged her and asked for permission ... not heard back yet ... so really hope she is happy ... and THANK YOU - for grabbing the image - it made my day!