a sadly rare sight

Hedgehogs, once a common thing to see around my neighbourhood, have become increasingly scarce over the past twenty or so years.  I recall last actually seeing one in my garden before our daughter was born, and then about two years ago actually seeing a small family of them in a copse of trees nearby.

Now, given we live right on the outskirts of a city (and I mean literally right on the green belt) with woodland and fields as our closest neighbours, you would think that we should see them far more often.  

But no.

Colour me amazed then when one night last week I could hear a commotion from the back garden, with the dogs barking and my wife and daughter in a right old panic.  I rushed outside expecting to be greeted with some sort of disaster only to find a hedgehog curled up in its defensive position after one of the terriers had "found" it!

I could see that it was still breathing and watched it until eventually it unfurled itself and wandered off into the undergrowth where earlier this year I placed a pile of logs for wildlife to shelter in.

It was such a lovely little thing to see and I hope it found shelter in my log pile.  The only problem now is that whenever the dogs go out into the garden, they are instantly searching the creature out and being terriers I am concerned as to what they might do if they find it.

So, for now then it's supervised trips into the garden only until I'm satisfied the spikey little beauty has found a new home!