Mealworms for hedgehogs?

I have been feeding the hedgehogs mealworms for several years now when I discovered from an expert on such matters that mealworms although they are a popular bird food they are harmful to hedgehogs. They affect the bone structure by causing serious weakening and other ailments. So they immediately withdrawn from my shopping list and replaced with tinned dog food. Well, I tried it for the first time to-night and what a success. Within 30 seconds of me putting the dish out Prickles was tucking in. By the time I had got my camera out this was all that was left.
So no more mealworms just cheap old dog food they like it much more.

Busy day

This is a white front goose. This is the species that Sir Peter Scott saved from being wiped out by game shooters and of course was the start of the WWT.

A pair of white fronts happily pairing up for the season.

Returning home in the evening with lots to do with the days photography and old friend appeared. This is BT (broken tail) who disappeared almost a year ago, looking very healthy and fit.

He was a little startled at first but soon settled down and came back later and had a meal of dog biscuits.

Another visit from Prickles, he is becoming quite a  regular. He will no tolerate me in the garden to take the pictures. Now my neighbours can see what all the flashings about.

Should have known better

Decided to pay a visit to the wetlands and have a spot of lunch and take my camera with me of course. It turned out to be a silly move because I forgot the kids were on Easter Hols from school  With all the noise and running around in their games the wild life was almost non-exsistant. I did find this smew that couldn't care less and was trying to sleep..

So it was back home to the hedgehogs which I am pleased to say seem to have recovered from last years incident. This one is called Spike and as yet I don't know whether it is male or female.

As you can see this is a much younger one and is easily recognised by the spines are all over the place and pointing in all directions. I am yet to give it a name.

Smew

 Went down to the wetlands at Arundel for lunch today. It was a bit miserable, wet and cold. nevertheless I took my camera and through the window I saw my first smew for quite a few years. They are normally a shy bird but this one seemed quite content with all the other birds around.

There was a female too but she was shy and stayed well away so I had to be content with just the male. It made my day and the lunch wasn't bad too.

W W T Trip

 I really have become a great fan of the WWT at Arundel. I took these pictures through the window of the resturant while I had my lunch. There is always something going on and the birds which are all wild visitors seem quite at home and easy to photograph.

 This pair of oyster catchers were looking for somewhere to nest on the little island.

There were a dozen or so pochard looking for mates. During the visit we went for a trip on the electric boat and had a guided tour of part of the wetlands which was well worth the small donation (suggested £1) It took about half an hour during which many small birds were seen including kingfisher, goldcrest, cetti's warbler, sorry no pictures I had the 500m lens on the camera and they were too close. I shall go prepared next time.