Hedgehog

Today started early - straight out of bed and before breakfast, trying to fix the problem at work that had started yesterday. By about mid morning it was all working and I was able to get ready for work and go into to work. I did notice a loud squeak outside but assumed it was a young bird begging for food.

Work was tedious as I'd effectively lost a whole day of work right in the middle of the busiest project and most important project I've worked on for years. I was pleased to get home.

On arriving home we heard a loud squeak, so as I went in the front of the house my better half went round the back to have a look for the blackbird chick we were expecting to find. Only it wasn't a blackbird there was a mother hedgehog (blipped) and two young. They had come down the steps from the lawn to the patio area and didn't appear to be able to get back up. The mother was obviously tired and the young seems distressed.

My better half put some gardening gloves on and we carefully put all three onto the lawn, then covered them up in case they wanted a rest - they shouldn't be active in the day time. We also put some wooden blocks around the steps into the garden and into the flower beds from the lawn to allow them to get up easily.  About an hour later the mother set off for a walk and the young followed on behind.

After all the excitement it was off to the Parish Council for the monthly  meeting.

(back blip)

Postscript: The following day we didn't see or hear them, but on the day after that one young turned up at the front of the house on its own. We gave it some cat food and put a box over it to rest in. The following morning it had left and made its own way somewhere. At 107 g I don't think he will be able to put on enough fat to make it over the winter but that is nature for you...