Hedgehog outside front door.

Posted by: JamieL_v2 on 02 August 2010


We just found a young hedgehog sat outside our front door. I seemed fine, and was not too bothered by humans being close to it. It looks like a youngster.

I didn't see any cats around that might have chased it there, nor could I see any physical harm to it.

I picked up the door mat, with it on it, and put it by some undergrowth in the garden. I will check it has gone tomorrow.

Has anyone else found hedgehogs being this close to houses? Is it just one that is not too bothered by humans, or might it be there due to some illness?
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by tonym
I'm about ready to give up on my goldfish pond & convert it to a proper wildlife pool. I'd like to encourage the amphibians back; we used to have loads of frogs, toads & newts until about four years ago when they all mysteriously disappeared.

It's lovely to see the various wild creatures the pond attracts (we even get the occasional Kingfisher, despite the closest river being miles away from us) but trying to maintain the artificial conditions needed to sustain an ornamental goldfish pond's getting more of an uphill struggle.

Anyone want a few hundred goldfish?
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by fixedwheel
quote:
Originally posted by tonym:
I'm pleased to say I managed to stop the Herons from gobbling up the fish in our big pond by using sticks around the edge threaded with fishing line at various heights and staggers.


and

quote:
Originally posted by tonym:
Anyone want a few hundred goldfish?


I spot a cost free solution. Big Grin

John
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by JamieL_v2
Trying not be snitty today.

Isn't the reason that herons eat Koi carp/goldfish as much the responsibility of those who put a species from the far east in a habitat where it stands out to predators such as heron?

No problem with people wanting to keep them and doing what they can, within reason, to protect the environment they are kept in, but there are going to casualties.

That said keeping the goldfish where herons can get to them will probably help keep the heron population healthy and well fed.

Our young visitor didn't show up again last night, or not that we saw anyway.

Not sure what I would want to come back as, if I believed in reincarnation, certainly not a fish of any variety, as Thom Yorke, and other before him, said 'The big fish, eat the little fish'.
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by jayd
quote:
Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Jay

It would be poetic justice if you returned to this earth as a reincarnated goldfish.

Regards

Mick

Been there, done that, got flushed. It wasn't that bad.
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by james n
quote:
Been there, done that, got flushed. It wasn't that bad.


Big Grin
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by JamieL_v2
quote:
Originally posted by jayd:
quote:
Originally posted by Mick Parry:
Jay

It would be poetic justice if you returned to this earth as a reincarnated goldfish.

Regards

Mick

Been there, done that, got flushed. It wasn't that bad.


Apparently when they (goldfish) float motionless on their side, it isn't that they are dead, it is because they are bloated after overfeeding (fact from QI).

So it really isn't dead 'it's just sleeping ....' (the Norwegian Blue prefers to sleep on its back. Look at the plumage squire...' etc.)

Not sure if they sink when dead, when there is just a tail sticking out of your cat's mouth though, they are definitely dead.