Richmond upon Thames. Species Action Plan. Hedgehogs (Erinaceus Europaeus)

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1 Richmond upon Thames Species Action Plan Hedgehogs (Erinaceus Europaeus) 1. Aims To prevent population decline of hedgehogs in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. To raise public and organisational awareness and concern for this culturally valued species. 2. Introduction The hedgehog is an icon of national wildlife in the UK and is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority terrestrial mammal species. A recent review of hedgehog population data suggests that we have lost at least fifty percent of rural hedgehogs and up to a third of urban hedgehogs since the year As individual residents and visitors we can slow down or even reverse this trend by simple actions that cost little. Organisations should work together to conserve habitats and raise public awareness. Companies and local government also have a role in protecting green space and enhancing biodiversity. Through concern for hedgehogs and their habitat we will help maintain the balance of nature for wildlife more generally in Richmond, which is a suburban environment with large green spaces. Hedgehogs, our only spiny mammal, tend to live on the edges of woodland, in hedgerows and private gardens. They are active mainly at night, roaming over distances of around two kilometres. During the breeding season males can travel up to three kilometres in search of a female. Their young, known as hoglets, are born between May and September in litters of up to five. Over half of hedgehogs will die before their first birthday and only four in a thousand live as long as seven years. Hedgehogs hibernate between November and March, although most animals will move nest (hibernaculum) at least once over winter. 3. Current status Hedgehogs rely on connected green spaces with a sufficient range of habitats for nesting, foraging and nesting types, with a minimum of 90 hectares of land. The total area of the Richmond borough is 22.6 square miles, 51% of this being occupied by parks, golf courses and other open green land. Domestic gardens dominate the remainder, taking up another 19% in 2005 (Private Gardens Habitat Action Plan, 2014). Richmond is a relatively green Borough. However, the pressures on hedgehog habitats are similar to towns HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 1 of 7

2 and suburbs everywhere. In London between and vegetated land in private gardens declined by the equivalent of two and a half Hyde Parks each year (LWT, London Garden City, 2010). Estimating the population of hedgehogs is very difficult, as it is for many wildlife species. Central London has almost no hedgehogs, but some suburban neighbourhoods have more animals per hectare than anywhere else. It seems likely that Richmond s hedgehog population is greater than in many other Boroughs. This plan includes action to improve estimates of the distribution and if possible the size of local hedgehog populations. 4. Specific factors affecting the species Many hazards can be controlled by simple responses and these are summarised in the Appendix below. For example, garden fences that have no gaps at ground level restrict the movement of hedgehogs. Hedgehogs are completely reliant on access to well-connected patches of habitat where it can forage and find refuge (State of Nature, 2016). Loss of habitat to building development is a threat that would require a broader policy response. Paving front gardens for parking reduces green space for all wildlife. Manicured gardens do not favour hedgehogs: they prefer long grass, compost heaps and wood piles for nesting and foraging. Busy roads that separate green spaces are a threat to life. Open ponds and swimming pools can be a hazard. Whilst hedgehogs are good swimmers, they can drown if there is nowhere for them to climb out. Slug pellets and pesticides can harm hedgehogs by entering the food chain and by reducing the number of inverterbrates available as prey. Rodenticides can cause harm if a hedgehog feeds on an animal that has died from this cause. Although badgers prey on hedgehogs, the two species have lived together in the wild for thousands of years. Badgers are not thought to be a main reason for hedgehog population decline (Wildlife Trusts, 2017). 5. Current action 5.1. Legal status The hedgehog has partial protection under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981). The hedgehog is included in the UK BAP Priority Species list, which is an important reference for species that are threatened and require conservation action. Hedgehogs are protected from cruel ill-treatment by the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act, HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 2 of 7

3 5.2. Mechanisms targeting the species Public awareness Raising public awareness is important so that people know how their actions may affect wildlife and why wildlife is important. See Appendix for key messages. Organisations in all sectors have a role to play in this. Examples include promoting take-up of wildlife surveys and encouraging people to record sightings. Increasing public concern for wildlife and biodiversity also encourages media interest, which can be harnessed to promote awareness. Horticultural organisations including allotments associations can promote good practice to members. Education Schools and colleges can enable children and young people to be future leaders in wildlife friendly gardening and nature conservation more generally. Voluntary and specialist organisations can support this through curriculum development and delivering educational sessions. Adult and community learning organisations can promote awareness for adults. Built environment Partnerships can help conserve a place for nature in a growing and changing city and suburbs. Key partners are environmental organisations, housing and transport developers, social housing providers and planners. An example is the partnership between Paragon housing and the People's Trust for Endangered Species. Open Green Spaces As well as managing open green spaces for wildlife and biodiversity there is an opportunity to promote good practice and raise awareness through information for visitors. For example, the Royal Parks run a campaign to help hedgehogs 6. Actions ACTION TARGET DATE LEAD OTHERS RBPH01. Develop hedgehog pack for 2018 NGG RBP schools. RBPH02. Deliver education sessions in primary and secondary 2018 NGG RBP schools. RBPH03. Develop wildlife friendly gardening and education project and good practice advice for managers of greenspaces in all sectors ET RBP HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 3 of 7

4 ACTION TARGET DATE LEAD OTHERS RBPH04. Develop leaflet and web page with tips to improve habitat. Link to Jan 2018 ET RBP national and other local resources. RBPH05. Produce animation "Hedgehog Avenue" to raise Jan 2018 ET awareness. RBPH06. Set up on-line forum for members of public to engage with 2018 ET hedgehog sightings and information RBPH07. Develop communication tools, e.g. online briefings, for members of public 2019 ET RBP interested in surveying and protection RBPH08. Develop interactive sightings map for web page and report sightings to Jan 2018 ET RBP, GiGL GiGL in appropriate format. RBPH09. Promote best practice in fencing design and installation From Sep 2017 ET RBP members with private sector RBPH10. Raise public awareness through From Sep 2017 FOBC RBP members fairs and other events RBPH11. Develop studies to improve estimates of size and / or distribution of populations. RBPH12. Install road signs warning of hazards to hedgehogs from traffic. RBPH13. Develop hedgehog highway designation for areas to be identified ET PTES, Royal Parks, engaging GiGL, LWT and Universities 2019 LBRuT RBP 2019 LBRuT RBP HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 4 of 7

5 ACTION TARGET DATE LEAD OTHERS RBPH14. Encourage planning applications to enhance green connectivity and prevent or mitigate deterioration of habitat, e.g. links between gardens. from 2018 LBRuT RBP 7. Relevant Action Plans 7.1. Local Private Gardens Habitat Action Plan, Richmond upon Thames Regional All London Green Grid National This Action Plan fits within the national conservation strategy for the hedgehog that can be accessed at UK BAP Priority Species: jncc.defra.gov.uk/page Key References Wildlife in England. State of Nature About hedgehogs. Estimating hedgehog populations. Surveying for hedgehogs. Hedgehogs in decline, Wembridge et al. Hedgehogs in The Royal Parks. Species fact sheet. Wildlife-friendly gardening. Report hedgehog sightings on local map. Wildlife information and report sightings. Rescue centres. Greening Grey Britain. Planting hedges with native species. RSPB. Land use in Richmond. Summary in Private Gardens Habitat Action Plan: HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 5 of 7

6 Private gardens. London Wildlife Trust "London Garden City": %20full%20report.pdf Hedgehogs and badgers. Wildlife Trusts: Legal status and protection of hedgehogs 9. Abbreviations ET: Environment Trust GiGL: Greenspace in Greater London NGG: Nature s Gym Glendale RBP: Richmond Biodiversity Partnership LBRuT: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames 10. Contact Stephen James Assistant General Manager Environment Trust stephen.james@environmenttrust.co.uk March 2017 HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 6 of 7

7 APPENDIX. Public Awareness. Raising awareness about needs and threats is one of the most important aspects of protecting hedgehogs. For further information, please consult Key messages are summarised below. Make hedgehog highways Hedgehogs need to be able to roam for food and nesting. Get together with your neighbours, cut a hole in your fence or dig an underground tunnel between gardens about the width of an adult's hand. This helps other kinds of wildlife, too, including frogs, toads and newts that help to control the population of slugs. Do not use slug pellets or pesticides Hedgehogs need invertebrate prey such as slugs and beetles. The website is useful for details of natural pest control methods such as nematodes for slugs. Slug pellets can also kill hedgehogs if ingested as the pellets are highly toxic, regardless of whether the pellets are organic or not organic. Hedgehogs can be harmed if they eat rodents that have died by poisoning.. Make water safe Hedgehogs are good swimmers but need an escape route. Make a ramp from a plank covered in chicken wire or create shallow areas at the edge so they can scramble out. Provide nesting sites Fallen leaves make the perfect nesting material, so do not clear all these away in winter. Log and leaf piles and wilderness areas are good for nesting and hibernation as well as habitats for the hedgehogs' food. Grow a wide variety of plants Attract prey for hedgehogs by growing a wide variety of plants. If you grow plants that flower in the different seasons of the year this will help bees and other insects as well. Know the hazards Check for hedgehogs before lighting bonfires, strimming and mowing the lawn. Keep plant netting, tennis nets, litter and household rubbish above ground level so they do not get entangled. Promptly clear harmful litter such as cans and plastics. Let light into your garden for ten minutes before you put your dog out at night: hedgehogs avoid light and will have time to get clear. Feed appropriately In cold or dry weather hedgehogs will benefit from a dish of shallow water and meat-based dog or cat food. Do not give them milk, which they will drink but cannot digest. Bread does not nourish them. Make grey space greener Paved areas are not hospitable for hedgehogs. Rubber car parking grids are an eco-friendly alternative driveway option as they allow for drainage and would provide a greener area for hedgehogs to move along and feed. You can make 'grey' paved areas more wildlife-friendly by simple actions. Even planted containers will help sustain hedgehogs' food supply. Hedgerows in domestic gardens are beneficial - see RSPB reference below. See also the Royal Horticultural Society campaign "Greening Grey Britain". Report sightings and problems Make a report when you see a hedgehog, whether it is well or in apparent difficulty or even killed on a road. You can report and follow sightings on the map on the Environment Trust website The website has details of rescue centres. HEDGEHOG SAP DRAFT page 7 of 7