It is nearly that time of year when either you embrace the onslaught of nonsense that is the commercial version of Christmas … or you hunker down and use the time to make your own moments of peace.
If you would like to comment - see more photos - and maybe try and persuade me to become more at one with Christmas, pop over to the Substack version!!
Wait - am I suggesting we embrace hedgehog lifestyles … that was not the plan, but clearly our prickly friends have had quite an influence on me. Though my version of hibernation is going to involve BOOKS and WINE!! What books are you hoping for? Other than mine - of course!!
It is tricky - such an expectation to splurge on presents. I really object to that - and am reminded of this passioned plea to do Christmas differently. It was written 13 years ago, but is still very true today!
How about buying something that will help hedgehogs? Each year the British Hedgehog Preservation Society produce a wonderful calendar of hedgehog images. It is a win/win situation - you get a glorious companion to the changing months, and the BHPS gets some much needed income!
And if you would like to do something else to help hedgehogs over the winter, and do not have cash to splash - let me point you towards a thing you can do … from the comfort of your own sitting room …
Remember when I wrote about the amazing National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme?
This fantastic survey is going to provide us with a nationwide estimate of hedgehog numbers, and will allow us better to monitor which interventions works best to help stave off their decline. The work relies on YOU!! There are volunteers who help set up the cameras that capture the vital data - over 50 sites have been surveyed so far - and then there are the volunteers who have the fun job of watching the video clips to check for hedgehogs … over 1.7 million sequences have been uploaded so far, and 600,000 sequences analysed … which leaves just over a million that could do with some eyes …
So - while you are digesting your nutroast sandwich on boxing day, how about putting that lethargy to good use … log on to the NHMP and start watching the wildlife that is out there … oh - and if that in itself was not enough motivation - every sequence you classify earns you an entry into a prize draw to win a state-of-the-art NatureSpy trail camera!!!
Now - before I leave you in peace - just a few things that crossed my path in the last few days …
Firstly - this is not me … but it did generate quite a headline … “Man who smashed windows blames tattoos and hedgehog” - I looked at the article in the Oxford Mail (to check it was not me!) and really, there was no more information. It remains a mystery. How is a hedgehog responsible?
Another headline - “The mascot of the World Figure Skating Championships is Eda the Hedgehog” caught my eye as well … ice-skating hedgehogs is new to me …
Here is the reasoning!
“The hedgehog is one of the symbols of Czech nature, so it was an obvious choice for the organizing committee. The idea of a hedgehog on the ice may be unexpected at first glance, but for the organizers it symbolizes the embodiment of tenacity and fragility. Just as figure skaters have to watch every detail of their movement, he also treads very carefully during his travels.”
Maybe the skaters would be interested in this new hedgehog product? Our friends have been so busy they have even invented a dual purpose drier - that will do your boots, AND, your hair … this has to be one of those things I never knew I needed!!
And finally - on Friday there will be a broadcast of Rare Earth on BBC Radio 4 all about winter and with quite a lot about hedgehogs and hibernation … yes, they let me loose! Tune in - let me know what you think! And if you would like an entire programme dedicated to hedgehogs, do drop them a line!!!