Good morning 

Well, this is the first time in a long time that I have sat in my shed with my wooly hat on! It is a timely reminder that there are some out there not blessed with a wooly coat who have to make their beds from leaves.

Over the millions of years that have passed, hedgehogs have evolved this wonderful prickly coat that acts as a fantastic defence against most things. The spines, as I am sure you are well aware, are just modified hair. Hedgehogs have sacrificed the insulating capacity of fur for defensive spikes.

This in turn has caused the hedgehog a problem with the winter. What to do? No insulation? And on top of that all the hedgehogs food hides away ... so ... hibernation. Quite an amazing feat, this. The hedgehogs shut down their metabolism by up to 98% - just 2% of normal running keeps the organs ticking over. And to be able to survive the rigours of this time they need firstly to have eaten well in the autumn, but also need shelter to build a hibernaculum - their hibernating nest.

In our gardens and parks it is crucial to leave the leaves - get rid of the cult of tidiness, let the hedgehog bedding stay on the ground where it also allows hedgehog food to overwinter as well.

Which brings me on to the first event - well, competition really. The hunt for the very best hedgerow - launched by Chris Packham. I love that we are giving credit here not to the hedge-fund managers, but to the fun-hedge managers! Do you know of a hedge that deserves a prize (of to be called out as a wasted opportunity)?

Next event to promote - a while back I did the first of the 'An Evening with Hedgehog Street' sessions - and now I thrilled to announce there is another on the 17th November - hosted by Grace (our hedgehog officer!) and featuring the researcher Abi Gazzard, focussing on urban conservation. 

Another shout out for New Networks for Nature - if you want a deep dive into the war on nature and how to fight against the forces of darkness, this is a good place to start.

This weekend I am in Stockport - I will be taking part in the local Rewilding project, talking about ... well ... I am sure you already guessed - hedgehogs! 

And finally - possibly the scariest gig of the year - in return for food and wine, I am talking in Kings College, Cambridge ... as an after dinner speaker - and part of a fundraiser for the wonderful Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity (of whom I am a patron). It is not just me, there are luminaries and music and a gorgeous setting and a 'goody-bag' with a value of £75 I am told ... If you come you will be one of the very few people in the entire world who will have seen me in a DJ!!!

I do this for cake and for love - and occasional payment! And THANK YOU to all who have dropped a few coins into my hat these last few months, much appreciated.