People across Ireland are being asked to participate in the second national hedgehog survey by collecting data about the spiky mammals in their local area over the summer.
Researchers at NUI Galway and the National Biodiversity Data Centre have planned a more involved hedgehog survey with citizen scientists invited to carry out assessments in their area between May and September.
The methodology uses footprint tunnels to determine if hedgehogs are present in various habitats.
Volunteers are being asked to place ten small tunnels made from corrugated plastic containing two sheets of paper and ink in the centre to capture the hedgehogs’ footprints, within a 1km square area for five nights, checking them each morning for signs of hedgehogs.
The Irish Hedgehog Survey was launched in the summer of 2020 with members of the public asked to submit records of hedgehog sightings online.
The response to the survey saw over 2,000 hedgehog sightings reported for the year from all over Ireland, with many reporting hedgehogs regularly visiting their gardens through the summer.
Researchers also received many requests for information on how to attract hedgehogs into the garden or help a sick or injured animal so they have produced an informative leaflet called ‘Helping Hedgehogs’ with tips for making your garden more hedgehog friendly.
The Irish Hedgehog Survey forms part of the research of PhD candidate Elaine O’Riordan at NUI Galway, who said that the aim of the survey is to provide information on the types of habitats where hedgehogs occur, and where they don’t.
“We are hopeful that a lot of volunteers will get involved and survey different types of habitats in urban and rural areas,” said Elaine.
“We are delighted with the response to the Hedgehog Survey so far. People seem very interested in hedgehogs and care about them very much.”
Elaine O’Riordan said that they are very pleased to have teamed up with project partners from a number of county councils as well as the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ulster Wildlife Trust and Cork Nature Network.
“With their support we hope to train and mobilise teams of volunteers in these areas.”
This survey would be suitable for interested individuals, local wildlife or conservation groups and community and youth groups. Participants are welcome from all over Ireland.
Volunteering workshops will be available online in early summer 2021 with more information on the survey, instructions, and equipment needed to carry out the project. There will also be live training events facilitated with the Hedgehog Survey project partners.
