It’s an old story now, but last week when I took my kitchen scraps out to the compost bin, I got a surprise.
The bin.
When I opened it up, it did not look anything like the way it had looked two days before. It looked like the world’s biggest worm had been rummaging around in there.
Such a big hole where no hole was before. What could it be?
Hard to see, but something had dug a tunnel into the bin underneath the massive oregano bush.
I immediately thought of rats. I’m not a fan of rats in the wild. Not scared, but I’d rather they didn’t live on my property.
But there was a wee round nest, too. What animal is native to Ireland and is round when it curls up? A hedgehog! So I looked closer….
Hedgehog poop! Definitely not rat poop.
Unfortunately it seemed hedgie didn’t like my intrusion into the warm safe place full of food, as there hasn’t been any sign that it has been back.
Bummer, I even left grapes as an offering!
heretherebespiders 
You are a kind and understanding compost bin owner. Too bad it has not stayed in residence, you could have negotiated rent, room and board. š ( giggles giggles ) Hugs
Oh I’d PAY hedgie to stay! They eat slugs, my garden nemesis!
Ah..here we have to critters we have to watch out for. One is possums. They are ugly mean tempered beasts as you know, jangled teeth in every direction. Worse are armadillos. Both will dig under your home and tear the central A/C tubes out and use the insulation for nests. They cause a lot of damage not to mention having fleas and other diseases. Best wishes with your Hedgie. Hugs
Perhaps it was a little too damp in there. They do like it nice and dry…
I think it has moved under the sage/oregano triffid bushes. Still popping into the bin for snacks, though!
The best of both worlds, then š
Hopefully! Might also be under the raised bed – the base of it is a pallet so there is a gap underneath.
I love hedgies!!! I hope he she or it comes back.
I’ll likely never see it, being as they are nocturnal. But how cool!
Does look rather squidgy in there but a great food source no doubt.
Maybe it will return?
I also thought they liked a drier environment?
The nest part was dry grass. But yeah, it dug through the whole wet mess and kicked muck all around the inside of the lid! I guess it never is really dry here, anyway.
Put out a saucer of milk?
Or cat food, apparently that’s a favourite too! I think it has moved into the sage/oregano bushes. Very safe under there. Just had another look and it does seem like things have been moved around more – and the grapes are gone!