Plastic hedgehogs are the latest idea to come over from the USA and work by creating space where fish can swim into but predators cant. The hedgehog is a simple device in the form of a plastic spikey ball about a metre across – weighed down at one end.
Plastic Hedgehogs waiting to be planted in the deep holes of the river Wear
As I write, a dozen or so hedgehogs are being strategically placed in the deep holes in the slow water around Prebend’s bridge in Durham City.
This stretch is well known in angling (and boating) circles for its deep holes caused by subsidence of the old coal mine levels below and while I was there the EA were boating the stretch and using sonar to find them. The deepest hole found today was 4.5 metres and was said to be well occupied by fish – probably roach it was said.
To assess the effectiveness of the scheme the hedgehogs will be monitored using a fish finder.
Durham City is well known for harbouring a very healthy population of cormorants – with at least 10 ironically residing on the fish pass!
Even while the EA assembled the hedgehog kits, a cormorant, goosander and heron were happily working the river in front of us. I think Durham’s fish will welcome their new spikey friends!
Nevertheless with so many predators it does indicate that there must be lots of prey – perhaps these hedgehogs will tip the balance in the fishes favour.
