Breakfast for Wilfred

From Tony Thain:

In my last epistle to the Diary, I reported that we had gained the support of natural pest control in the form of Wilfred the Weasel. We really expected that he would have a session clearing the mice in the workshop and the hedgehog dormatory [aka the wash-up] and then move on, Not a bit of it! Wilfred seems to have decided that this is a good area to set down roots and he is a regular sight in and around the buildings. He has done such a good job that there appear to be no mice eating the hedgehogs' food.

For some considerable time I have had hoards of mice getting into my classic Ford Capri and as can be seen in the photo, the interior of the car has had mouse traps as an optional extra. Unfortunately, mice can do untold damage to the wiring of a car and in extreme cases can short the battery causing a fire; not good for the roast mouse but worse for the car; and before someone points it out the battery is disconnected!

A few days ago, during my morning check, I found a deceased mouse in a trap and was about to dispose of it when Wilfred was spotted under his favorite grating, getting quite excited. He was told to wait there while I placed the mouse right by the exit, close to Wilfred patiently waiting a few inches away. As I backed away Wilfred waited until he was told that he could have his breakfast and the mouse duly vanished with a very pleased Wilfred attached.

Wilfred now waits either in the Wash-up or under his grill for Tonia to sort out and clean the hedgehog's pens and any left over food is then given to him; he then waits until he is told that it is his! Very little food is eaten during the night, which is telling us that mice are rare in the buildings and that Wilfred will not touch the hedgehogs' food off his own bat. OK, so we are imbuing a wild animal with human traits; but it makes a good story!

As far as the hedgehogs go, I am sure that they are on a shift system as there always seem to be at least two awake at any one time, even though we give them a talking to, telling them that hedgehogs are supposed to hibernate. One, Sissie, has not been well and is at the moment enjoying the warmth of the heat lamp in the hedgehog shed, but she is getting better and starting to eat and put on weight.

Although we have not seen any hedgehogs out and about, we have had reports that smaller animals have been spotted looking for food. The slight increase in temperature may have caused last autumn's juveniles to wake up and look to put on more weight before going back to sleep.  So if anyone sees hedgehogs foraging in their gardens, please put out some food and fresh water.

Finally, this epidemic of bandaged fingers seems to be catching; first Tonia was bitten by a pony and now Angie John has been bitten by a vicious man hole cover! Get well soon!