Saving Syd, a London hedgehog 🦔💚

Saving Syd the hungry hedgehog This lucky hedgehog was rescued after been spotted out in daylight in Dulwich Wood. Late season foraging by hedgehogs isn’t uncommon, it’s all about packing on the calories. But to be out in daylight indicated that this hedgehog hadn’t fattened up sufficiently for hibernation and was prepared to risk predation for food. Emma Pooley, who led our Hedgehog Project, took him in, warmed him up and gave him a meal, while waiting for a special carer to look after the little chap. Syd (short for Sydenham) was uninjured and alert, but super hungry and underweight, and is good hands now. If you find an injured hedgehog, or are concerned about a hedgehog which is out during the daytime, please contact the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog or call 01584 890 801. We still have a few free Hedgehog Detective Kits available from our Heritage Lottery Funded project. They will be great fun to use when London's hedgehogs wake from hibernation in spring!   Get a free Hedgehog Detective Kit New visitor centre for Gunnersbury Triangle Exciting plans have been unveiled for a new education and visitor centre at Gunnersbury Triangle. Based in Chiswick, this popular London Wildlife Trust reserve was first opened to the public in 1985. If permission is granted, the development will see a new visitor centre replace the current dilapidated units, as part of a low-key residential development that will repurpose the scrapyard site next door. Read more Purple reigns in the Great North Wood Project Officer Edwin Malins looks back on a summer of surveying butterflies, when dry weather filled the Great North Wood with purple hairstreaks. Read more Gift memberships for families and friends Give your friends and family a wild life this Christmas, with our gift membership packages. Our members support vital work across Greater London, from inner city nature reserves to rare chalk grasslands and wildlife-rich ancient woodlands. We love London and we love nature, and we hope you do too. Memberships start from £2.50 a month, and include special surprise gifts. You could even treat yourself!   Buy Gift Memberships Events for wildlife fans of all ages Whether you’re a seasoned wildlife watcher or a nature novice, join us as we discover the capital’s wonderful wildlife! We’ve great wildlife activities for little ones, and our Great North Wood team are running popular walks and talks across south London, including seasonal fungi walks. Click to see our upcoming events across London. Walthamstow Wetlands’ dedicated website also has a wide weekly range of activities for children and adults. Enjoy an extra-special Christmas Party at Woodberry Wetlands! If you are looking for an extra-special Christmas Party venue, check out our Grade II listed Coal House Café, overlooking Woodberry Wetlands and just a short walk from Manor House Tube Station on the Piccadilly Line. We are offering a set Christmas party package, priced per person, inclusive of scrumptious canapes and festive tipples; or choose a ‘dry hire’ to create your own bespoke celebrations! Every booking supports London Wildlife Trust's vital wildlife conservation work. For more information see our Woodberry Wetands website or email Mia, our Marketing & Events Manager.

Bat action from Charlie, our ranger at Walthamstow Wetlands. This male Nathusius’ pipistrelle was ringed in May and recaptured in late September. This short video captures the bat in flight.   Unexpected but delightful news from Totteridge Fields, where six visiting Longhorn cattle have become seven! They graze the fields over autumn, helping us to protect these wildlife-rich hay meadows.

Image credits: Penny Dixie, Emma Pooley, James Cracknell, Daniel Greenwood, Cate Castleton, Charlie Owens and Dianne Murphy.