Rothbury has been chosen as the newest site to be part of the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme[i] (NHMP).

HEDGEHOGS ARE IN DECLINE

Sadly, our much-loved hedgehogs have undergone considerable population decline in recent decades. To reverse this trend, we need to remove the threats they face and put in place practical conservation measures. But before this , we need to understand where and why hedgehogs are struggling. That’s where the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme comes in, and it’s coming to Rothbury!

ARE GEORDIE HEDGEHOGS DIFFERENT?

The scheme also aims to identify how regional and habitat differences may impact hedgehog populations. This knowledge can then be used to make effective conservation plans which can hopefully begin to reverse the decline of this iconic species.

On behalf of the NHMP, Rothbury CAN (Climate and Nature) has been liaising with the National Trust rangers at Cragside who have kindly agreed to host our part of the project. A site, one-kilometre square, has been identified on the estate and it’s here that we will be setting up motion-activated cameras to record any passing Erinaceus Europaeus (hedgehogs to you and me) as well as other mammals.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS

Setting up and calibrating thirty cameras is no small task. On the day we anticipate needing both a morning and an afternoon shift, each of about 3 hours. You don’t need to know anything about setting camera traps, training will be provided.

A date hasn’t yet been set but it’s likely to be in late June/early July. In the meantime, if you think you might like to join us for one or both shifts, please email David at tubbyewe@gmail.com and we will keep you in the loop.

Check the Events section for details of Hauxley Wildlife Group’s talk about Hedgehogs on March 19^th.

[1] NHMP is a conservation scheme launched by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in partnership with Nottingham, Trent University, the Zoological Society of London and Durham University.

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[i] NHMP is a conservation scheme launched by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society in partnership with Nottingham, Trent University, the Zoological Society of London and Durham University.