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Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 11:41
by Rod
I’ve been trying to shoot/trap a large rat that has been sighted in my back garden feeding from the bird table - it shins up a 20mm diam painted steel pole with no difficulty to eat peanuts held in a wire cage.
I have a humane cage trap and also secure some reasonably firm bait in my “kill zone” under the feeders.
For several days the food in the trap has been eaten without triggering the gate (mouse or birds ??) and the kill zone bait undisturbed but this morning I noticed it had all gone and the trap had been sprung.
What was inside - not the rat but a hedgehog which I quickly let go unharmed.
The rat hunt continues!
I must buy some dog food to give our prickly friends an extra boost.

Rod

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 12:25
by Andyp
How will you stop the rat getting the dog food?

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 12:25
by Malc2098
I'm really sorry, but this reminds me of........ :lol:


[youtube]fePU5CIHpas[/youtube]

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 13:10
by Woodster
You can get Hedgehog biscuits at most pet shops. Cat biscuits will do though, that’s what we’ve been feeding the hogs that come to our garden.

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 13:14
by Rod

I think it was Mike who had mole issues.

Andy - I’d feed the hog directly. Last year in late autumn, I found one that was struggling but didn’t have anything to feed it. Was on my out in a hurry and couldn’t find it on my return. No idea if it survived.

The bait in the kill zone is to keep the rat busy whilst I get a shot in. I realise they are probably mainly nocturnal but can not justify an infra red set up hence the trap.

Rod

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 15:34
by Andyp
Good luck. Not seen a hedgehog yet but we have had frequent sightings in the past.
I made a beautiful hedgehog next box when we first came here alas it has never been used. Have tried it in various locations without success.
One day I will put a camera trap on my xmas list so we can have a good look at what else comes in garden.

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 18:23
by Rod
Here’s the pole the rat was climbing and then on to the peanut cage

Image

Rod

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 20:26
by timothyedoran
I had rats in my loft this year and they did some damage to the lighting wires. Luckily we got ride of them before the.loft conversion which is in its final stages. I only found the damage when the beast from the east blew snow in the lost. I could hear a funny crackling noise. Upon investigation it was the damaged wire sat in a pile of snow! Lucky escape.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 21:33
by Malc2098

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 21:59
by Woodbloke
Whilst I'm all in favour of feeding and observing the birds that come into the garden, feeders are prone to attract less desirable wildlife. SWIMBO has put a cast iron, 24 carat veto on any sort of feeder, but we do have a bird box where some green t!ts (I think) have taken out a mortgage - Rob

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 22:17
by Rod
Blue * - I don’t think Green ones exist ??

This comes in handy when you have a feeder:

Image

Rod

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 07 May 2018, 22:30
by Woodster
I saw five Hedgehogs in the garden this evening, all munching the cat biscuits I left out for them. Hopefully they’ll also be tucking into some slugs as well. :D

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 08 May 2018, 07:56
by Andyp
Woodbloke wrote:Whilst I'm all in favour of feeding and observing the birds that come into the garden, feeders are prone to attract less desirable wildlife. SWIMBO has put a cast iron, 24 carat veto on any sort of feeder, but we do have a bird box where some green t!ts (I think) have taken out a mortgage - Rob


If they are green then finches surely. Or they have been eating something they shouldn't have, not difficult around your way I should think.

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 08 May 2018, 12:31
by Woodbloke
Andyp wrote:
If they are green then finches surely. Or they have been eating something they shouldn't have, not difficult around your way I should think.

You're probably right Andy, they definitely have a green front. I'll save you some Novichock sprinkles for your coffee next time you call in :lol: :lol: - Rob

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 08 May 2018, 14:11
by Phil
This guy lives somewhere in UK.

This is what you need for your pics.


http://www.burrard-lucas.com/camtraptions



8-)

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 08 May 2018, 16:23
by Rod
Greenfinches are definitely green but with very distinctive bright yellow flashes and I don’t think they nest in boxes??
Perhaps you have Great *.

Rod

Re: Hedgehog

PostPosted: 17 May 2018, 19:03
by Rod
I managed to shoot the rat and then went to retrieve my trap that the pesky blighter had been avoiding, to find the Hog back again.

Image

Had to entice it out with some dog food but thankfully it was unharmed.

Image

Image

Rod