Shropshire nature buff captures hedgehogs on camera
[gallery] Shropshire novelist Kate Long is keeping tab on the many hedgehogs who come into her garden at night. Joseph Masi reports.

Some of us would think ourselves lucky if we found a hedgehog visiting our garden at night. And, if that's the case, then Shropshire author and nature enthusiast Kate Long must be truly blessed – for she has had17.
Kate was so pleased after finding a nocturnal visitor in her north Shropshire garden back in May that she went out and bought a special camera to keep an eye on the goings-on outside.
"I'm known locally as the woman who looks after water voles but when I realised I had hedgehogs in the garden I couldn't miss the opportunity to film them," she said
"A lot of people wouldn't be able to spot hedgehogs but they make little tunnels in the grass for pathways by pushing it aside.
"I spotted one and took a step back and almost stepped on another. It was then I thought I should film them."
Mrs Long, who is well known for a series of novels including the number one bestseller The Bad Mother's Handbook, said: "I have marked them all with special paint which is the only approved method but you must only mark the spines.
"Whenever I make a finding I send a report to Hedgehog Street who are compiling sightings nationally. I've given them all pragmatic names based on the markings. So we have Two Dots, Cross Hog, Line and Blobs.
"I also had one which I got from a rescue centre which needed fattening up.
"He lived in my shed for a while so we called him Shedhog but he now comes and goes.
"I've also found another one living near my neighbour's fence, Rainbow we have called him.
"I think I must just live in a great area for hedgehogs. We live on a quiet road which helps. It's absolutely great to have the chance to look at and study them."
Mr Long, who was recently crowned Environmental Mum of the Year, said most of the hedgehogs she has come across have been male but she is hoping to see some baby hedgehogs.
Now Mrs Long is encouraging Shropshire residents to get into their garden and capture what is going on.
She said: "There is a whole secret world out there and it is amazing what you can find, especially if you put food down.
"Peanuts are very popular with most animals so if you throw a few in the garden you will be amazed at what comes along."
More information on hedgehogs can be found at www.hedgehogstreet.org