I have a birth announcement! Four tiny new lives. Quads in fact. Named Spike, Henrietta, Wanda and Herbie. They are a very welcome addition especially as they are on the red list of mammals in Britain, vulnerable to extinction. The hedgehog that started living in my garden in May is the proud mama to these four hoglets. I say proud but actually after weeks they were ready for independence and up she got and left.

In the meantime, the hoglets have remained living in the nest, a gap in the fence that leads to underneath next door’s decking, popping out regularly in the afternoon to forage. I’m so, so pleased to see them (I nearly cried with joy the first time I spotted them) and I am so, so pleased our average-sized suburban garden can provide them with what they need during these first few months. Just next to the gap in the fence was a gravelled strip, put there by a previous owner. Bare of any life when we moved in but now nature has provided ivy and lily of the valley and we have planted a few strawberry plants. We also have a main strawberry patch just beyond this in which the plants have put out runners, multiplying and filling this strip along the fence next to the lawn. Grass has grown amongst the strawberries as well as the occasional dock. This small area about 0.5m wide by 5m has been the hoglets main stomping ground, never really straying onto the shorter lawn, grazed by our guinea-pigs. In amongst the ivy and strawberries they can remain hidden and snack on slugs and snails, beetles and earwigs. Even during the dry month of June they have found plenty to eat. However, I have provided them with a little extra help in the form of specially made hedgehog food and a saucer of water (with pebbles in to let insects escape).

At the time of writing, I haven’t seen them for a couple of days. Perhaps they have spread their metaphorical wings and headed off into the world beyond our garden. This world that may include your garden or neighbourhood as once they become bigger they will be able to travel distances of around 2km each night.

As heart-warming as it’s been to see baby hedgehogs for the first time it’s also felt like a huge responsibility. We all know that there are hazards out there for these prickly bundles. Many a night I have laid awake to the sound of cars driving past my window hoping with all my heart that these hoglets are safe. For humans have caused a huge decline in hedgehogs, up to 75% in rural areas but their urban counterparts appear to now have a stable population, so all is not lost. However, the hazards are plenty and they still need our help.

You could:

* Pick up any litter you see (if it's safe to do so). Hedgehogs are particularly at risk as they are inquisitive which often gets them stuck or entangled in rubbish.

* Check, check and double check any long grass you are mowing or strimming. These baby hogs are active in the day foraging for food or they might relocate to your garden and settle down to sleep in the long grass. Better still, leave the grass long if you can.

* Make sure any unused netting (including sports netting) is stored off the ground and that any garden netting is high enough from the ground to allow hedgehogs to safely pass under. Their spikes can easily get entangled in netting and this can act as a fatal snare.

If you see a hedgehog out in the day foraging or moving purposely it’s probably okay, just observe from a distance. However, if one remains still for more than a few minutes,

has flies around it or insects on it (they could be ticks) it is essential that it gets help. Corner House Vets will treat wildlife for free. Give them a call on: 01395 277775.

Let’s all work together to keep Spike, Henrietta, Wanda, Herbie and all other hedgehogs safe and healthy.

For some adorable film footage and photos check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/rhubarbandrunnerbeans