Wendy meets Elsa

Elsa, my Norwegian Forest Cat, normally sleeps at the end of my bed each night but last night she snuck out for a little while in the early hours of the morning. The trail camera I left out in the garden for the purpose of hedgehog watching shows where she had gotten to. Meanwhile, Wendy the hedgehog (I'm pretty sure that's her because of the dark face) seems unfazed at Elsa's presence.

And don't you just love the way that hedgehogs shake themselves?

Hedgehogs and other animals on the bottom step

Last night I put a bowl of food on the bottom slate step leading into the lower garden, partly to see if the hedgehogs were willing to roam around the garden a bit more and not just stay in the bottom left corner by the compost heap, and partly because I thought the video would be better with the slate beneath them rather than grass and without foliage causing infrared light bounce-back to the camera.

Come the morning a number of birds also make an appearance, as does Elsa.

Elsa and the hogs

Last night Elsa was being fussy and turned her nose up at the cat food I put down for her, so rather than let it go to waste I put it outside for the hedgehogs. Of course, then she wanted it, and appeared in the photo captures throughout the night. It was almost as if she was guarding the food from the hedgehogs. Despite that, there were plenty of hedgehog visitors, including the baby.

Catching up, Monday night's hedgehogs and baby confusion

It's been over a week since my last post so I think it's time for an update. Elsa only stayed overnight at the vets. I had a phone call in the morning to say that her temperature had dropped, that she was eating, that she was even being a bit feisty and that I could collect her. So, I brought her home and she has been back to her old self again.

However, it was a very expensive business with vets fees, taxis, etc. And I'd need more money to take the baby hog with suspected ringworm to a hedgehog carer. Alas, it rained for a few days after I got Elsa home and I hardly saw any hedgehogs at all. I did spy the baby hog on Friday night, but as I was to be away all weekend, there was no sense in catching him. I saw him briefly late Sunday night, and again last night when I also put the infrared camera out for photos (as seen here). Pictured above, we see him at - and partially in - the food bowl.

But... Is it the same baby hedgehog?

If it is, then his spines seem to have re-grown. I went out last night with a torch and took a look at him. I fancied I saw markings where the bald patches had been. If it is the same hog he definitely looks healthier than before.

If it is a different hedgehog, then I wonder where he (possibly she) has been up until now and, for that matter, where the other baby is now? I may have to catch him and bring him inside for a closer look, because I confess that I am confused!

Anyway, here are the pick of last night's photos:

A hot Saturday night and baby hedgehog update

Last night must have been the hottest night of the year - at least here. There was one hedgehog that was flaked out asleep at the foot of the hedge for at least an hour. In the above photo, we see the baby hedgehog sitting in the food bowl. I'm afraid I haven't been able to get him to a wildlife rescue centre yet. Unfortunately, my cat Elsa is very sick at the moment and is currently at the vets being treated where she can be under observation. I've had to put Elsa's welfare first. I'm hoping to get her back home tomorrow. Once I know she is alright, then I can turn my attention to the little baby hog. I will try to get him to a wildlife rescue centre in the next few days - please do not think I have forgotten him.

Do you think this baby's alright, and Wednesday night's hedgehogs

Before I show you the pick of last night's infra-red photos, I want to show you the above picture of the baby hedgehog that has been visiting. Now, last night Elsa got a little over-excited watching the hedgehogs; I went outside to find she had cornered the baby, who was looking a little worried. I don't think Elsa would have hurt him; I think she was just in a playful mood. Anyway, I took her inside the house and gave the baby a handful of mealworms after taking a couple of colour photos, and he was soon eating them up and looking much happier.

But have a closer look at the photo above (click on it to enlarge). You'll see that the baby has a couple of bald patches, one on his back and another behind his ear. His face also looks pretty hairless compared with, say, the hedgehog on the blog banner at the top of this page. Does anyone know, is this normal for a young hedgehog or does he need attention?

Anyway, onto last night's infra-red photos. There was certainly a lot of activity again. You'll notice Elsa in the second photo getting closer than she usually does.

Sunday night 4th July and it's Hedgehog Central!

There was such a lot of hedgehog activity captured on the camera last night (as still photos) that the best way to show it to you is in the form of another slideshow video:

Video footage of the baby hedgehog

These videos are from last Thursday night, 1 July 2010. It took me a few days to get around to editing them - I had so much good footage that night. We see several hogs, not just the baby (who we see is a boy). Poor thing seems to take after our old friend Scratchy. Perhaps I should call him Itchy.

Elsa makes one of her trademarked cameo appearances in Pt2. The hedgehogs really didn't seem that bothered.

More photos of the baby (and other hedgehogs)

The baby hedgehog has been back each night since I first saw it. Often it seems to be with another hog - possibly the mother. I did consider that there may be more than one baby, but I've not seen two at the same time, and this one does seem to have some distinctive markings on its back. Anyway, these photos are from Tuesday night, 29 July. They are a bit more glary than usual because I forgot to put the rubber mats down again after washing them. Note also, Elsa is in a few of the photos. She loves watching the hogs - it's the highlight of her day!

A few hogs (and Elsa) on Saturday night