Where are the hedgehogs of Wollaton Park? Despite our hopes of capturing those charming, prickly residents, they’ve remained conspicuously absent from our recordings within the park’s boundaries.
We have received anecdotal reports from residents in the vicinity of Wollaton Park, outside the wall, confirming the presence of hedgehogs in the surrounding areas.
One significant factor could be the park’s perimeter wall. While undoubtedly an attractive and historic feature, this substantial barrier might present a considerable obstacle for hedgehogs.
Another potential reason for the lack of hedgehogs within Wollaton Park could be the presence of badgers. These larger mammals are known predators of hedgehogs.
It’s important to remember that ecological factors are complex and interconnected. The absence of hedgehogs could be due to a combination of these factors, or perhaps other elements we haven’t yet considered.
The exercise will be repeated in the Autumn of 2025.
Additional posts showcasing images from the Hedgehog cameras are available.
Images from MammalWeb, shared under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License