It was my birthday on Monday - I only mention it because not only did I have a lovely bunch of friends collected in my garden around a small fire, and not only did I get this AMAZING card (thank you Fay!) - but ... well, the next day ...  I saw a healthy looking adult hedgehog scurrying around the end of my road as I took my rescue hound out for his last pit-stop. 

You might remember I saw a courting couple on my estate a month or so ago - but this is the first time I have seen one so close to home in many a year - I am just so thrilled!

Now - some of you might be lucky enough to have some holiday coming your way ... and that might mean some time at home ... which might mean an urge to tidy up in your garden ... PLEASE ... just take a moment to 'think hedgehog' before you get too carried away ... warm days (well, as I write there is one!) can mean hogs making very light day nests, just under a pile of leaves - which does put them at risk of inadvertent raking! Here is a guide to 'Gardening with Hedgehogs' from the BHPS.

I am writing this quickly as I have to head off to Whitstable (not looking forward to hours on the M25!) - now this is probably too short notice for most of you but there is an event called Wild About Whitstable, and they have invited me to talk about hedgehogs and the work of this petition ... tonight! Tickets are free, but you need to book ... come and say hi if you are in the area!

Another opportunity ... Monday 28th August - bank holiday - I am returning to my usual spot at Shepreth Wildlife Park - where I am a patron of their hedgehog hospital - to talk about ... well ... you can guess! 

oh - the internet - such a distraction, as I was looking for the link to the Shepreth event, I stumbled on this and tears quickly sprang to my eyes, this is my boy, Pip, from five years ago - rehearsing before my mother's funeral.

Actually - I will just get this out now - but a warning that a more meaty update will be coming in the next week or so. I was lucky enough to be able to attend the Mammal Society conference last weekend. And there was LOTS of research about hedgehogs being reported. 

Hope you all manage a bit if summer's rest!

If you have capacity ... (but please feel no obligation) ...