FAMILIES in Bovey Tracey and Heathfield are being encouraged to make their communities more hedgehog-friendly by introducing a few simple changes such as lowering driving speeds and creating holes in garden fences.
They have also been asked to report sightings of the animals in a bid to build a picture of their habits and movements.
The call has come from the Bovey Hedgehog Group, a body set up in 2023 and consisting of wildlife wardens, town councillors and residents.
It has been looking into the possibility of having Department of Transport signs erected at known hedgehog blackspots where the endangered species are killed and injured.
The group is also keen to explore all other means of promoting their welfare.
‘Sadly, our much-loved hedgehogs are threatened, having undergone considerable population declines in recent decades,’ said Cllr Sue Simmons who sits on the Town Council and is a member of the Group.
‘To reverse this trend, we need to remove the threats they face and put in place practical conservation measures.
‘One easy task is to make sure that hedgehogs can travel through your back garden to the neighbours, that can be achieved by cutting a 10cm hole in your fence.
‘Whole streets can do this together.
‘Ensure that hedgehogs are well-fed by creating leafy corners and log piles where they can forage for grubs and insects.
‘You can also offer a good quality meaty cat or dog food or dry cat biscuits.
‘And only ever offer fresh water to drink, never milk.’
The group is also hoping to echo the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme (NHMP) by asking residents to track their local population.
‘We’d love to know where our prickly friends are moving around in Bovey and Heathfield,’ said Jan Connors who convenes the friendly, informal group.
‘You might be lucky enough to have a trail camera you can install or simply keep a look out for their droppings.
‘In the future we hope that all your results and photos can be logged via the Bovey Tracey Town Council website and we’ll use the data to inform our future campaigns. In the meantime, the Hedgehog Group will be at the Bovey Tracey Christmas fair on November 22 and would be delighted to plot hedgehog sightings on their maps.
‘Getting involved can be great family fun - such as designing your own hedgehog t-shirts - and there is plenty of information available from the British Hedgehog Preservation Society.
‘Let’s make Bovey and Heathfield a real haven for these wonderful creatures before it’s too late.’
More news
-
Blooming marvellous response to Bovey Tracey bulb-planting and litter-pick
A COMMUNITY litter-pick and bulb-planting event organised by Bovey Tracey Town Council has been hailed a success with scores of volunteers turning up on the day.
Added: 03 November 2025
A382 Better communications promised
BOVEY Tracey Mayor, Cllr Sheila Brooke, has stressed to engineers and highways officials working on the two-year A382 ‘roadworks scheme that residents must be better informed about diversions and that route management must be improved.
Added: 31 October 2025
Great Big Green Week 7th - 15th June
Great Big Green Week, Bovey Tracey 7th - 15th June 2025 Free Family Great Big Green Fun Day, Mill Marsh Park, Saturday 14th June 10am-4pm.
Added: 07 June 2025
VE DAY, Bovey Tracey 80th Anniversary
Join us for VE DAY - Bovey Tracey 80th Anniversary 8th May 2025, beacon lighting at 9.
Added: 08 May 2025
Great Big Green Week Launch Event 25th April
Pictures from the Great Big Green Week launch event on Fri 25th April.
Added: 28 April 2025
5 Stars - Pride in Parks Award for Mill Marsh Park
5 Stars have been awarded to Mill Marsh Park in the Pride in the Parks Awards 2024.
Added: 31 March 2025
Bovey Tracey Climate Action
Bovey and Heathfield seeks to help provide our community with the knowledge needed to take action on climate change.
Added: 27 February 2025
Community Awards - 2025
It’s that time again for nominations to be made to Bovey Tracey Town Council from Bovey Tracey and Heathfield residents for this year’s Bovey Tracey Community Awards.
Added: 21 January 2025
Tree Planting Bullands Field
Volunteers create new pocket woodlands in Bullands Field Putting the planet first took top priority for volunteers in Bovey Tracey on Saturday [January 18] when they gave up their morning to plant native trees by the river in Bullands Field.
Added: 20 January 2025
Proposal for 20MPH Centre of Bovey Tracey
Proposals for 20MPH Centre of Bovey Tracey Back in February 2024 Bovey Tracey Town Council submitted an expression of interest to Devon County Council to be one of the funded 20 mph areas across the county.
Added: 10 December 2024
Do you love trees? Would you like to be involved in planting some trees in Bullands Field?
Do you love trees? Would you like to be involved in planting some trees in Bullands Field? Friends of Mill Marsh Park and the Town Council plan to plant some young native trees in Bullands Field (the field across the river from Mill Marsh Park).
Added: 15 October 2024
Public Consultations - 1. Devon & Torbay Local Transport Plan 2. Devon Local Cycling & Walking Plan
Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan The Devon and Torbay Local Transport Plan sets out the priorities for transport across the county between 2025 and 2040.
Added: 15 October 2024
For older news articles please click here to view our news archive.