Hedgehogs have been included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, as a result of evidence of significant decline.

The hedgehog's decline in urban areas can be linked to a loss of their habitat to development and an increase in barriers to their movement.  Every garden that is built on, every allotment and playing field that is lost, removes hedgehog habitat.  People opting for low maintenance decking and patios in their gardens instead of grass and shrubs has been disastrous for hedgehogs too.  Urban hedgehogs have fewer places to forage, and their routes are blocked by fences, new and busier roads and denser housing.

In order to find out what is happening with our hedgehogs in urban areas we are currently trying to find out about as many sightings, and lack of sightings, of them as possible in the Greater London area. If you live in this area and have seen a hedgehog, or even if you haven’t seen a hedgehog, please take a couple of minutes to enter your sighting, or lack of one, on www.hogwatch.org.uk

You can also write to Mrs A Hof, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX. 

Greenspace Information for Greater London (GiGL) would also like to know if you've spotted a hedgehog - tell them what species you've spotted via their website.