109 more hedgehogs removed from Scottish islands

Hedgehog clearance continues in the Hebrides. Copyright Wildlife Extra.

Ground nesting birds to benefit from Benbecula hedgehog clearance
November 2009. A total of 109 hedgehogs have been captured and humanely transferred to the Scottish mainland during the latest phase of trapping in the Benbecula area of the Uists.

Hedgehogs eat birds eggs
The activity is having an impact as hedgehog numbers in Benbecula are continuing to fall. And the UWP's efforts are geared towards the total removal of all non-native hedgehogs which can have a disastrous effect on ground nesting wader birds by eating their eggs.

Hedghog also caught on North Uist
However, after several seasons of recording zero catches on North Uist, a hedgehog was spotted by a crofter in Bayhead on North Uist. In response traps were placed around the location and a further three hedgehogs were caught. These hedgehogs formed part of the three batches taken to the mainland by UHR as part of the autumn fieldwork stage of the project.

Trapped hedgehogs are transferred to the UHR before being translocated to Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust in North Ayrshire from where they are released to locations in Scotland.