Projects
Furzedown Hedgehog Highways
Hogwatch are collaborating with Furzedown Hedgehogs to monitor hedgehog activity and the impact of hedgehog highways in Tooting. Our research has identified the importance of garden habitats for hedgehog populations in urban areas, highlighting habitat fragmentation as a major threat to hedgehogs in London.
Hedgehog highway schemes aid in reducing this pressure by building a network of gardens making green spaces more accessible for hedgehog populations. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of these schemes in improving habitat connectivity. Furzedown will act as an important case study to guide national-scale conservation action.
How can you help?
Fill out our questionnaire
We are conducting a citizen science survey from Furzedown residents to gather information on the accessibility of gardens in the neighbourhood. We encourage every household in Furzedown to fill this in to get an accurate picture of current hedgehog accessibility in the area.
Host a camera in your garden
Furzedown Hedgehogs began creating hedgehog highways in 2026, with the local community showing great initiative toward improving wildlife connectivity. London HogWatch wants to monitor this population to understand the impact for hedgehogs. By signing up, you will be contributing to nationally important research on the effectiveness of hedgehog highways. There are two ways to do this:
By carrying out camera monitoring of gardens 3-4 weeks before and after a hedgehog highway is installed, we can assess how hedgehog abundance changes. We are looking for volunteers to host cameras in their London gardens over this 6-8 week period. Whether you have already signed up for a highway, want to install one, or would like to volunteer as a control garden (i.e. with no hedgehog highway), get in touch with us!
By carrying out a wider survey of Furzedown now and again in 2 years time , we can assess the impact of the hedgehog highways scheme on the local hedgehog population. Plans are underway to do this survey on 2nd September 2026. Please contact us if you live near any of the blue points on the map and would be happy to host a camera.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in getting involved with creating a hedgehog highway, hosting a camera trap, or contributing to our wider survey, contact us!