How to help hungry hedgehogs in the garden

It is not normal to see hedgehogs out and about during the day and it is usually an indication that the hedgehog is ill, injured, or is trying to find food or water.

I would imagine that the latter is the reason, as hedgehogs generally, like many other animals have been suffering because of the long dry spell, and many have become dehydrated.

The problem has been made worse because many of the hoglets have just emerged from the nest and have not been able to find their normal food supplies, causing them real problems because they are so tiny.

If people suspect that they have hedgehogs visiting their gardens, they can help by ensuring there is always a dish of water down in a quiet spot in the garden and in the evening putting out a little food, such as peanuts, sultanas, or small cat biscuits, (not fish based ).

Cat and dog food is also good but can attract all the neighbourhood cats.

These small things really can make the difference to their ability to survive in hot weather. Incidentally the reason it is wrong to handle hedgehogs unnecessarily is that if they are still young and being fed by their mother, they will be rejected by her if she smells the human scent on them. There is a lot of ignorance about how best to help these lovely and threatened creatures, see www. britishhedgehogs. org.uk. Or help and advice can be obtained on 01584 890801.

From: Sheila Spencer, Shore Road, Silverdale, Lancashire.

From: John Easterbrook, Main Street, Great Kelk, Driffield.

In a previous Country Week (June 26) you ran an article on a sea trout capture from the river Rye.

I was delighted to read about a run of sea trout up the Rye, though not too surprised. I believe that there is strong evidence of sea trout attempting to run up the river Hull into Driffield West Beck, and have written to the Salmon and Trout Association about this.

Also, there is long-established and very strong evidence of sea trout and salmon running up the Ure so it seems pretty certain that migratory game fish are running up through the main Yorkshire river system.

For fly fishermen in particular and environmentalists in general this is truly thrilling news, though one sees little about it in the press. What I can't really understand is why the Irish, Scots and Welsh are prepared to spend millions on facilitating migratory fish runs and clearly are making money out of their sporting and ecological value, while in Yorkshire the fish exist but are barely spoken of and in some cases the rivers are blocked by weirs and fish farm water diversions.

From: Sheena Dixon, Marton Road, Bridlington.

Can anyone advise with a problem in Bridlngton cemetery? Floral tributes are being eaten by many rabbits, some appear rather large and even quite tame. This is causing much distress.

Flowers are an expensive tribute, but do give comfort to the bereaved. This is a residential area and visited by many of the town's people who are concerned by the situation.

CW 17/7/10