Mammals - Autumn

Hedgehogs

A seriously old species having an easily traceable history, through significant similarity with it’s predecessors, back over 10 million years. Despite this long history they are still rustling about the place, and with the evenings closing in, there’s more time when you are likely to hear them. Hedgehogs are moving about getting their systems prepared for a long winter. This year’s new born hedgehogs can sometimes be seen trying some interesting approaches to road crossing, the one on the right was a prime example, as they try to get to more favourable habitat for foraging. They can consume, when fully grown, around 8 ounces (200 grams) of insects a day. If you want to feed hedgehogs to attract them to your garden to look at, or for pest control, putting out the wrong food can do them a lot of harm and leave you with no hedgehogs. Have a look at the link on the right to the Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue website, there is much useful advice
Top Spots
Listen out from dusk onwards, especially on a less cool evening, and you’ll probably hear something moving around. If the rustling is accompanied by a snuffling noise get a dim torch out and you should find your quarry moving around in flower beds, borders, or leaf litter beneath trees

Badgers

Unfortunately whilst too often easily seen at the side of the road, we would love to know a good location where these stripy headed night wanderers are thriving. We are convinced there are gardens in Ely outskirts and surrounding villages where badgers are visiting. Peanut butter on bread is an irresistible lure for this night time visitor. Put some nutty treats out regularly and if they often disappear overnight then you probably have your very own visiting badgers
Top Spots
We saw one in Thetford Forest whilst looking (well listening) for Nightjars during the summer - it scooted straight across the road in front of us! If we knew about any badgers locally we'd put the information here. If you know where they are in the Ely10 tell us on the sightings page