Hedgehog removals!

[Jenny]

NO - DON'T YELL AT ME!

I will have to remove a very dilapidated garden shed over next 18 months. Unfortunately, a hedgehog hibernates under it and she also raises her brood there. Any tips on the best time to remove shed and what I can do to encourage re-housing - sadly much of my land is a 45 degree slope so a hedgehog house is a bit awkward!:confused:

[Kerry L]

Hi Jenny, just a suggestion really. Our shed is on old railway sleepers, and when we laid them down (more like we dropped them down because of their weight!) we made sure that we left some gaps. We then put smaller sections into little rooms - a bit like a maze. We thought it big enough for some families that would be cosy for hibernating. There are plenty of leaves around as we have hawthorns and an oak tree at the end of the garden. We also have a sloping garden. In my dad's garden the hedghogs successfully raised their children - not under the shed, but in between it and a Philadelphus bush. The slope of the roof should have made the nest wet, but they had so much leaves on the top, that they were quite protected. I don't know when the best time would be to move the shed, but you could try The Hedgehog Preservation Society - their website is at:
www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk (http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk)
Good luck (ooh I've gone green! Haven't a clue how this happened!)
Regards, Kerry:)

[Jenny]

big probs with website or my pc - screen jumping at each letter. Will contact CJ and ask about problem Jenny

[Jenny]

Thanks for that Kerry, will ask them about removal time!

I think I will have to invest in a couple of seriously stout evergreen shrubs and put the hedgehog house in between them. I'd originally invested in it just because the big shed was falling apart and had intended to put it down in the lower part of the garden where there's shelter for trees and larger shrubs to grow but my neighbour hasn't gone ahead with his extension which means I've still got his shed on my ground! :mad: The disturbance when he removes the shed would be too much!