Herbert the hedgehog and Billy the bee

[Alison]

As some of you will know, we've been having an extension built on the side of our house. The builder put a couple of small containers on the front throughout and yesterday took them away which we were very pleased about. However, while to us they've been a pain which has looked a mess and made our front room dark, it seems the area underneath was a haven for wildlife - obviously good but not the best place for them now the cabins have moved.

Basically, we have a bumble bees' nest in a load of dead moss in what was the front garden and next to that, under some more moss, was a baby hedgehog. It's mum wasn't there at the time but she came back last night and we were watching them out the window. Really facinating.

Obviously we're pleased they're all here BUT they're in an area which is about to become a pathway. Any idea what we can do to move them somewhere better with out killing them, harming ourselves or scaring them off? Have tried googling but it's not totally helpful as all the advice is contradictory.

[yoanbob]

ooh get in touch with local bee people, the police will have a swarm contact number, give your bees to somone who will care for them and make honey!
dont know about hegehog tho, you could try putting a hedgehog house down and putting dog food and water in or near it for a few days, they might move in.

[JennieAtkinson]

I think you can lure hedgehogs to another area of your garden using milk and tinned dog food. But the best people to ask, if you were in Scotland, would be your local Scottish Natural Heritage Office. Is the English equivalent English Nature? Certainly the office here in Shetland would give advice on how you could help them.

[Flummery]

I think it's called Natural England now - they like to keep changing the name so you can't pin the blame on them! (Reminds me of Sellafield/Windscale/Seascale!)

[cms]

contact number for hedgehog preservation society

I saw this recently in a local community website posting from our local hedgehog group - call the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890 801 for further advice and to get the number of a hedgehog carer in your area.

Meanwhile the Bumblebee Conservation trust can probably best advise on the bees - can't find a number on their contact page but this is their e-mail enquiries@bumblebeeconservationtrust.co.uk

Good luck - at least neither of them require a removals van and all the upheaval that would involve!

Cathy

[Alison]

Thanks for the help, it seems that the hedgehogs have moved somewhere of their own accord, probably cos of the sudden change in their surroundings when the cabins were moved. OH saw the mother nudging the baby off towards the hedge so they could be in there now. Will keep away for a bit just in case. The bees are still there, we've been advised that we can dig up the nest when it's dark as apparently bumble bees don't fly at night(?) and put it in a buried pot elsewhere. Have dug a hole near the fruit bushes ready to move them by torch light tomorrow night. Fingers crossed for how it goes. Being bumble bees we won't be getting honey but we should get plenty of germination!