News from Brent Lodge Bird and Wildflie Trust. http://brentlodge.org/ Tue, 13 May 2008 17:23:53 We are sad to report that Speckle, one of our resident Tawny Owls, died of natural causes on Sunday April 27 2008. Speckle reached a ripe old age and was resident at Brent Lodge for many years. Speckle was one of the permanent residents included in our "Adoption Scheme". All those who "adopted" Speckle will be notified by writing in due course.... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=81 Monday April 28th 2008 22:00:07 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=81 When tidying the garden in preparation for Spring, please be aware that hedgehogs may be hibernating in that long grass or undergrowth. We often receive a number hedgehogs to the hospital that have been severely injured by garden strimmers whilst they sleep in long grass or other garden greenery. If you really have no alternative but to use a strimmer, then it is vitally important to check long grass and foliage beforehand. The best way to do this is to very carefully rake through the long grass. Dense undergrowth should be thoroughly checked with a stick prior to strimming. Always keep your eyes open for animals; be aware. Many people just don't realise that there may be hedgehogs or other wildlife residing in that long grass before using their strimmer. So please help to reduce the number of these horrific accidents by *spreading the word*. Remember: If you really must use a strimmer, check for animals first, then proceed with caution. ... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=35 Tuesday January 22nd 2008 19:25:26 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=35 Brent Lodge was featured in the Chichester Observer newspaper, on January 17 2008. The article is also published on the Chichester Observer's website, with the online version also including a fascinating video which offers in insight into our work with hedgehogs. To view the article and video click here to visit the website (the link opens in a new browser window).... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=79 Saturday January 19th 2008 01:51:57 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=79 WATCH OUT FOR HEDGEHOGS IN NEED THIS WINTER Now that winter is upon us, please be on the lookout for small hedgehogs that may be visiting your garden. These hedgehogs, known as "autumn juveniles", are big enough to be away from their mothers but too small to survive hibernation. They are from litters that were born late in the breeding season. If these autumn juveniles do not gain enough weight before the cold weather kicks in, they will probably die. They need to weigh at the very least 450 grams (1lb), preferably 600 grams (22oz), in order to have sufficient fat reserves to sleep through the winter. Putting out meat based dog food can be a lifesaver. Water can also be provided, but please DO NOT leave out milk as this can cause stomach upsets. If, when the weather turns starts to turn cold, the hedgehog weighs much under 600 grams (22oz), it is vital to intervene immediately. You should pick the hedgehog up using gardening gloves (or an old towel), and place in a high-sided cardboard box (they are very good climbers even when ill or injured!). Drop plenty of newspaper in the bottom of the box, provide some bedding (for example, a towel, sweatshirt or similar), and take the box inside. Then contact Brent Lodge on 01243 641672 (or your local wildlife hospital) for further instruction, as the hedgehog will need to be admitted to the hospital as soon as possible. If you need to keep the hedgehog for any length of time prior to transportation to Brent Lodge, you may provide meat-based dog food and a small bowl of fresh water. If the weather is cold and hypothermia is suspected (an indication of hypothermia can be the hedgehog exhibiting a wobbling as it walks), place the hedgehog on a well-wrapped hot water bottle. Keep a towel draped over the hedgehog to ensure body-heat does not escape. It is vital that the hot water bottle is kept warm, as if it's allowed to become cold it will draw heat away from the hedgehog. HEDGEHOGS OUT DURING THE DAY Regardless of age or size, hedgehogs are not normally out and about during the day, so if they are it could mean they're either desperate for food, or ill. If the hedgehog appears to be searching for food or collecting nesting material, but not displaying any signs of distress, it may well be fine to leave it alone - just leave a dish of food (but remember, NOT milk) and fresh water. However, if the hedgehog wobbles, appears injured, is attracting the attention of flies, or is just lying in an exposed position, you need to intervene as described above, and contact Brent Lodge or your nearest wildlife hospital. For more information about hedgehogs in your garden, visit the Garden Hedgehogs page of our internet site, at: www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=14 If you're not local to Brent Lodge (West Sussex, England), then rather than contact us in the event of an intervention, please telephone the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) on 01584 890 801 for details of your local hedgehog carer. BHPS also provide information via an internet site, at: www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=78 Thursday November 29th 2007 19:03:33 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=78 To save hedgehogs and other wildlife from appalling suffering, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society and Brent Lodge are urging that bonfires should not be built until the day they are to be lit. This will not only save wildlife from burning to death but will also stop the bonfire from getting soaked should it rain the night before! Piles of bonfire material look like five star hotels to a hedgehog in search of a hibernation site. It is crucial to dismantle and move bonfire material that has been stored in advance on open ground. Move it to another spot just before lighting. Ensure it's moved to clear ground - never on top of a pile of leaves as there could be a hedgehog underneath, and not too close to pampas grass which can ignite very easily and is another favourite spot for hedgehogs to hide under. If a large bonfire has to be built in advance, protect it whilst building by putting some chicken wire one metre high all the way around the bottom. This should be held in place with stakes and the wire should slope outwards at an angle to make it difficult to climb, as hedgehogs are good climbers! If, whilst building, a bonfire is left unattended, for however short a time, it's imperative to check for young children, hedgehogs and other animals, including family pets, before lighting. As hedgehogs tend to hide in the centre and bottom two feet of the bonfire, check by gently lifting the bonfire section by section with a pole or broom. Never use a spade or fork as these can stab them. Using a torch will help and listen for a hissing sound, as this is the noise they make when disturbed. If hedgehogs are found, take as much of the nest as you can and place them in a high-sided cardboard box with plenty of newspaper/old towelling. Ensure there are air holes in the lid and that the lid is secured firmly to the box, as hedgehogs are great climbers. Ideally, wear garden gloves so as not to get human smells on them and to avoid harassment as hedgehogs are easily stressed. Also, it protects your hands from their spikes. Put the box in a safe place such as a shed or garage well away from the festivities, as fireworks terrify them. Once the bonfire is totally dampened down, release the hedgehog under a hedge, bush or behind a stack of logs. Going to an official organised fireworks display is a far safer option for both humans and animals.... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=74 Tuesday October 23rd 2007 17:27:57 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=74 A hedgehog was put in a spin after going through a full cycle at 40 degrees in a washing machine. The baby hedgehog – since dubbed Lucky – was accidentally bundled into a machine at a house in Bognor. Lucky's story has since been picked up by the local and national media, and can be accessed via the following links: Chichester Observer BBC Interactive News (Brent Lodge is not responsible for the content of external internet sites).... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=73 Friday September 14th 2007 18:19:11 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=73 Could you spare a few hours a week to help out in our Selsey shop? The shop, our main source of income, is desperately in need of volunteers. If you live within travelling distance of Selsey and would be willing to help, we would be delighted to see you. Just call in and ask for Shirlie. The shop is located at New Parade (on the corner of West Street), Selsey, West Sussex.... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=70 Tuesday July 24th 2007 00:00:07 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=70 We URGENTLY require newspaper for hedgehog bedding. If you can help, please read on...... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=42 Friday February 2nd 2007 21:56:26 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=42 Our wish list is a list of items of which we're currently in need. We update this list every so often, removing items that have been donated, whilst adding others as we require them. The list is a plain text document, which is easy to print for future reference should you be so inclined. It can be viewed here. One of January additions to our wish list is some collapsible plastic crates, which we use for the safe storage of donated items that we're collecting for sale on our open weekends and other fund-raising events. So, if you'd be able to provide a few of these crates (they're usually available to buy at supermarkets), or indeed any of the other items on our wish list, we would be very grateful indeed. Without your ongoing support, we would be unable to continue!... Please visit the site for the full item at: http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=1&item=60 Wednesday January 17th 2007 22:07:17 GMT http://www.brentlodge.org/index.php?link=2&item=60