Volunteers from across Dorset are being sought to help with a prickly situation.
They're needed to spot hedgehogs as part of a new project to work out a population estimate of the creatures.
The National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme (NHMP) will launch a three-year pilot project, on Monday, March 25 to find out robust estimates of hedgehog populations in different habitats across the country.
The programme is looking for volunteers to identify hedgehogs (and other wildlife) captured on trail cameras across the country, including two pilot sites close to Dorchester.
Once the images are classified, a team of analysts can determine if the populations are changing year on year, and, in time, give a national estimate of Britain’s hedgehog population.
It is led by wildlife charities People’s Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, ZSL’s London HogWatch, Durham University and MammalWeb, and largely funded by Natural England.
Fay Vass, CEO of The British Hedgehog Preservation Society said: “Everyone loves hedgehogs, but we recognise that not everyone is in a position to help them in the wild.
"Becoming a ‘spotter’ for the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme is a fantastic way for everyone to get involved.
“Now, those with mobility issues, who don’t have a garden or perhaps are away studying at university or college, can help from the comfort of home. Helping hedgehogs has never been easier or more accessible, so we really hope people from all walks of life take part.”
Alongside the efforts of volunteers, the project uses AI and trail cameras to understand the factors causing hedgehog populations to plummet, which will enable conservationists to implement practical conservation measures to try to reverse the decline.
Last year trail cameras were placed at 13 different sites across the country to capture images of hedgehogs in different habitats including urban parks, private gardens, woodlands, and farmland.
Two of these pilot sites were in Dorset, on nature reserves close to Dorchester.
There were 30 cameras placed at each site, generating thousands of images. The NHMP are looking for volunteers to identify these species, with free training and ID guides are available online
You can sign up and become a ‘spotter’ by visiting the NHMP website: www.nhmp.co.uk
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