I hope you all had at least a tolerable Christmas and New Year - I find keeping expectations low really helps!

My New Year has started gently - but that all changes from tomorrow - my first talk is to a gardening club in Lechlade - be good to be back at that. Then the Oxford Real Farming Conference ... two days as their photographer (always one of the most intense jobs of the year ... right at the start!) - then big adventure to the European Hedgehog Research Group conference in Berlin - back for my step-father's funeral (more on Edward in a later post I think) ... anyway - a busy start to the year.

And what of the hedgehogs that might be snoring away in our gardens are nearby parks? Well, I am guessing they don't actually snore while in hibernation ... their metabolism is so shut down they barely breath. Amazingly they use just 2% of the energy they do when not in hibernation!

What can we do to help hedgehogs? Right now - think about making the spaces we have more welcoming come the spring ... to get an idea of what needs to be done, have a go at the fun quiz from the Hedgehog Street campaign.

I have been reaching outside my usual audience - writing about hedgehog highways for Scribehound Gardening. A few folk have raised concerns that I might not be aware of the people behind the publication - and their interests in hunting. I am - but I really value the opportunity of talking to people who (unlike many of you!) have a different view of our relationships with nature. It is all too easy to just talk to people we agree with ... much nicer, safer in fact.

So - what are you going to do to help hedgehogs this year? Would be great to hear what you have in mind ... though obviously you will have to head to the Substack version to contribute ...  

Will be back with news from the hedgehog conference!!

Photo: @alexas_fotos