Some of you may be able to help us in the next few weeks.

We have overwintered more than 50 hedgehogs, and others have come into care more recently.

Now it is time to return these hedgehogs to the wild.

They are all in good condition and becoming restless in care.

However, we are a bit worried about the wet conditions.

When released, a hedgehog needs to find a sheltered nesting place, and during its first night of freedom, it needs to find enough dry bedding to make a nest.

With the ground conditions being so wet, we are worried that newly released hedgehogs will find it difficult to collect enough grass and leaves to keep them warm.

It would help these hedgehogs if they could be released into a garden that has a hedgehog house, or a small hutch or other dry box, filled with straw.

This would give them a nest to use for the first few nights.

Some hedgehogs may stay longer, but others will find a nest site of their own.

In order to be suitable for a hedgehog, a garden should have plenty of ground cover, and short grass where the hedgehogs will find natural food.

There should be no steep sided pond, no netting trailing on the ground, and slug pellets must not be in use.

The garden must not be enclosed.

There should be access to other gardens, fields or hedgerows.

If you’d like to help call Hessilhead on 01505 502415.