More than 180 frames, to help hedgehogs access garden habitats and avoid busy roads, are available to East Riding residents.
The ‘hogways’ were donated by East Yorkshire-based manufacturer Timloc and are made of recycled materials. They are designed to fit around small holes in gates and fences, to enable hedgehogs to travel between gardens and avoid busy roads. By linking gardens together, they let hedgehogs to safely access food, water and shelter.
Frames will be provided to the Molescroft Wildlife Network and the Greener Pocklington groups to be distributed among the local community. They will also be available at the upcoming open day at Tophill Low Nature Reserve, and at Driffield Show.
All residents are encouraged to record when they see a hedgehog in their garden or local area. Residents with hogways are also encouraged to add them to the Hedgehog Preservation Society’s Big Hedgehog Map.
Once a familiar sight, hedgehog populations have declined by up to 75% in rural areas and 30% in towns since 2000.
Residents can log their hogways, or hedgehog sightings at https://bighedgehogmap.org/
More information about steps that residents can take to support hedgehogs can be found at https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/take-the-hedgehog-pledge-this-hedgehog-awareness-week/
