PEOPLE who have spotted hedgehogs this year are being asked to add them to a map.
The Big Hedgehog Map, run by Hedgehog Street, a British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People's Trust for Endangered Species initiative, helps to build a picture of hedgehog sightings.
The information is used to assist with hedgehog conservation.
Sustaining Dunbar's Pledgehog Project is asking East Lothian residents to add to the map.
Jen Walker, the Pledgehog officer for Sustaining Dunbar, said: "It’s a fantastic tool to try and build up a picture of where these elusive rare mammals have been seen.
"This vital information then feeds in to help with hedgehog conservation.
READ MORE: Hedgehog project to feature on BBC Scotland's Landward
"If you regularly have one visiting your garden or outdoor space, then try and remember to add it before the end of each year to show it’s still there.
"This means maps can be compared annually for changes in local distribution."
Hedgehogs are known to travel about a mile each night in search of food, water, shelter and a mate.
Most hedgehogs hibernate during the colder months due to the scarcity of insect food.
More information about the Dunbar Pledgehog Project and how to make gardens hedgehog-friendly can be found on the Sustaining Dunbar website.
However, Ms Walker pointed out that "some hedgehogs will ‘wake up’ and move to different locations and have more than one hibernation nest, so it’s still possible to come across one".
She cautioned against clearing up piles of leaves or branches, as they might disturb a sleeping hedgehog.
The Pledgehog Project has been funded throughout 2024 by Viridor, SafeDeposits Scotland and Belhaven Brewery.
Additional funding has been secured to run until April next year from the Hugh Fraser Foundation.
The initiative was featured on BBC's Landward earlier this year.
