Stakehill Nurseries Ltd

02/06/2026

01/06/2026

23/05/2026

I WASN’T SLEEPING IN THE SUN.

THE FLIES HAD FOUND ME BEFORE HELP DID.**

You may see me in the daylight and think I am resting.

A hedgehog curled in the grass.
Still.
Quiet.
Not running.
Not hiding.
Not doing what a night animal should do.

And the first thought may be gentle.

He is tired.
He is sunbathing.
He looks peaceful.
Maybe he is just old.

But a hedgehog lying out in the open during the day is rarely a peaceful thing.

Sometimes, it means something has already gone wrong.

I may be weak.
Cold.
Injured.
Dehydrated.
Too exhausted to find cover.

And when I cannot move properly, the flies come.

They do not wait for death.

They land on wounds, on eyes, on ears, around the mouth, in damp fur, between spines. They lay tiny pale eggs that many people mistake for dirt or dust.

But those eggs can hatch into maggots.

And then the suffering becomes urgent.

This is called flystrike.

It can happen fast, especially in warm weather. A small weakness becomes a crisis because my body can no longer defend itself from what finds me.

That is what makes the scene so heartbreaking.

You may think you found a quiet hedgehog.

But you may have found a night animal who has already lost the strength to protect himself.

So if you see a hedgehog out in the day, especially one lying still, covered in flies, with pale eggs on the body, or unable to walk normally, please act quickly.

Do not leave me “to see if I move later.”
Do not pour water over me.
Do not try to pull everything off without advice.
Do not leave me exposed.

Use gloves or a towel.
Place me in a high-sided box.
Keep me warm, dark and quiet.
Call a hedgehog rescue or wildlife vet immediately.

Because I wasn’t sleeping in the sun.

I was a small night animal lying still while the flies began to write an emergency on my body.

22/05/2026

☀️ With a warm spell on the way, our hedgehogs and other wildlife will be desperately searching for water. Something as simple as putting out a shallow bowl of fresh water can become a lifeline for our wildlife who cannot simply turn on a tap when they are thirsty. 🦔💧

Right now, there are also mums raising hoglets who urgently need extra hydration to keep their milk flowing and their little ones healthy and fed. Your small act of kindness could make all the difference to a struggling family of hedgehogs this summer.

Please also remember that hedgehogs are now nesting in long grass, undergrowth, and overgrown areas while they create their summer nests. Before using strimmers, mowers, or starting any gardening work, take a few moments to carefully check the area first. Those few extra minutes really can save lives. ❤️

If you discover a nesting hedgehog, please leave the area undisturbed. They will move on in their own time when it is safe to do so.

Together, we can help protect the wildlife that shares our gardens. A bowl of water, a quick check before gardening, and a little patience can mean everything to these vulnerable animals. 🦔🌿

📸 One of my recent releases

22/05/2026

It's May. You're about to mow. And somewhere in the lawn — probably near the edge where the grass meets a garden bed or fence line — there may be a shallow depression you've never noticed.

It looks like a bare spot. A circle of matted grass. Nothing worth a second glance.

It's a cottontail rabbit nest. And there are kits inside 🌿

Eastern cottontail nests are almost invisible. The mother digs a shallow scrape in open lawn — not in a burrow, not under a bush — and lines it with fur she pulled from her own chest and dried grass. She covers the top with a plug of fur and grass that blends with the surface.

🐇 How to spot one before you mow:

- Walk the lawn slowly before starting the mower. Look for any small circular area where the grass looks different — matted, slightly raised, or discolored. It's roughly the size of your palm
- If you find a suspicious spot, press gently on the surface. If you feel warmth or movement underneath, it's active
- Mark the nest with a small flag or garden stake and mow around it. The kits grow fast and leave on their own within a few weeks

🌱 If you accidentally disturb one:

- Put the cover back — the mother will return. She wasn't scared away permanently. She only visits twice a day, at dawn and dusk, to avoid drawing predators to the spot. Her absence is the protection
- If you find a nest after mowing and the kits are still alive, re-cover them gently and leave the area quiet. Give the mother space to come back at her next scheduled visit
- Don't move the kits to a "safer" spot — the mother returns to the exact location and won't find them if they've been relocated

One slow walk before the mower starts. That's the whole prevention 🌱

21/05/2026

She lost her nursery before her eggs were even laid. The destruction of natural habitats affects not only wildlife but also the beauty of nature we cherish. Let’s protect what’s left.

21/05/2026