Conservation Science in the RSPB 2006

34
These results indicate the scale of
the conservation problem. In an
average spring South Uist supported
2,750 adult and sub-adult
hedgehogs, producing approximately
3,000 young spread over more than
300 km 2 of suitable habitat. The
study also showed that hedgehog
removal is practical only when
animals are not hibernating (mid
April to October), and is undesirable
during June to late September when
removing females would risk leaving
dependent young in dens.
Machair
Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com)
Contact:
jeremy.wilson@rspb.org.uk
Jackson DB (2001) Experimental removal of
introduced hedgehogs improves wader nest
success in the Western Isles, Scotland. Journal
of Applied Ecology 38: 802–812.
Jackson DB (2006) The breeding biology of
introduced hedgehogs (Erinaceus europeaus)
on a Scottish island: lessons for population
control and bird conservation. Journal of
Zoology 268: 303–314.
Jackson DB (in press) Factors affecting the
abundance of introduced hedgehogs (Erinaceus
europaeus) to the Hebridean island of South
Uist in the absence of natural predators and
the implications for nesting birds. Journal
of Zoology.
Jackson DB, Fuller RJ & Campbell ST (2004)
Long-term population changes among breeding
shorebirds in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, in
relation to an introduced mammalian predator.
Biological Conservation 117: 151–166.
See also: 2001: 34
Seasonal pattern of courtship (dark) and mating (light) behaviour
by hedgehogs found during approximately weekly spot-lamp
searches at night on South Uist (n=1,289 encounters).
% of females encountered each period
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1/2/3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3/4
April May June July August
Week (quarter of month)