As I sit in my shed, as close as possible to the little heater by my side, I do wonder what it is like to be a hedgehog, out there, under a bush! How does it feel as your metabolism begins to shut down?

Hedgehogs are amazing, hibernation results in them using just 2% of the usual amount of energy and their breathing and heart rate drops. They can be safe like this for months ... waiting for the first tickle of spring. 

This is a time of year when the sick and underweight hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable. Remember, they NEVER hibernate out in the open. And if you see a hedgehog out in the day it is probably poorly. If you intervene, you might just save a life. This guide from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society is useful.

There will occasionally be activity by hedgehogs, though. Research shows that many do actually get up and move nests throughout the winter ... and a detailed examination of behaviour has shown that it is quite possible to release rescued hedgehogs during the winter too - this is important as keeping them unnecessarily in cages can generate increased stress. 

The very small team at BHPS does more than just provide information about how to help hedgehogs, and help fund the research that underpins our conservation messages - they also have a shop - and if you are interested in getting something hedgehog related for Christmas, I can really recommend their amazing calendar - just £8.50 (incl p&p) - call them on 01584 890801.

An additional Christmas gift ... I will be a little cheeky here and point out that today, at least, the publishers themselves have The Hedgehog Book and The Beaver Book both at a 50% discount ... not sure how long that will last, but grab it while you can. And if you want a signed bookplate to go with these, or any other of my books, drop me a line and I will give you my address to pop an SAE to me (the cost of posting a letter is almost the amount of money I make on a book sale ... that is why I have to ask for the SAE!)

Last night I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph the Choir of Magdalen College as they sang their Advent Service - it was beautiful to be back in the chapel, and there was snow! While I was able to head home to warmth, the hedgehogs, and all the other wildlife, are out there. Let's make sure we do as much as we can to make their lives as easy as possible ... look out for vulnerable hedgehogs, read the Top Tips leaflet from the Hedgehog Street campaign and work out how best to improve your garden ... and share this petition ... January sees the start of my drive to get a meeting with Michael Gove ... more on that soon.