Rather a short notice update this one - sorry!

The amazing people at Hedgehog Friendly Campus are launching a trial to see how they can work with secondary schools - and the deadline for submitting an application to join in is tomorrow (Friday) 5pm. 

I have seen the success of the work they have helped achieve in University campuses around the country. And they have extended their reach to colleges and primary schools as well.

The idea is brilliantly simple. Encourage students to help hedgehogs - and in so doing win your establishment certificates - from bronze to silver and then gold.

Litter picking is a good place than many start - and you can see that while this is being done in the name of hedgehogs, it will help all wildlife, and us, too. Hedgehog surveys are great at collecting data, even giving opportunities for students to incorporate the research into their own work.

Working with the teams who manage the grounds is a vital step - encouraging sensitive mowing, ensuring drains are kept covered, building in ramps to any ornamental ponds, keeping sports netting off the ground when not in use - and, of course, making sure that there are hedgehog highways included between areas that are fenced off!

So - please - share this with your local secondary school - see if they want to be a part of a trial ... and also, while you are at it, if you are linked with any of the other establishments that are a part of this fun ... see if they would like to sign up too!

Hedgehog Friendly Campus is funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.

I have just started to write a book about bats - for the wonderful folk at Graffeg (just seen the beaver book is at a discount from that link). I do enjoy these little books ... and am loving diving into the world of bats. They were often my friends as I was out radio tracking hedgehogs ... darting into my vision as they hunted insects. 

I am writing from my mother's house - up near Birkenhead. She is having a small operation today and I am on nursing duty for the week - it will be the longest we have spent together and while I realise I might not get much work done when she is home, I am looking forward to it!

Any of you coming to Bird Fair this year? I will be doing a couple of events on Sunday 16th July - come and see me!

There are still some spaces at the amazing New Networks for Nature gathering in November, in Norwich - grab them while you can - it is the most amazing collection of brilliant people.

Thank you to all who have thrown a few coins into my metaphorical hat, it is much appreciated. 

Now to get back to bats before I don my nurses outfit!