Hedgehog conservation proposals seek support

A HEDGEHOG-loving community group has developed an action plan to improve the wildlife habitat at a popular walking spot in Dalbeattie. The Golden Hedgehogs Project – a volunteer-led initiative in the town – has put forward a series of proposals connected to Rounall Woods. The volunteers, who work to enhance local biodiversity and conserve hedgehog populations, have made good progress but insist more needs to be done. Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most popular mammals but have undergone a decline. Dalbeattie has a historic link to hedgehogs, with the golden hedgehog symbol linked to the Herries ancestors of the Maxwells of Munches family and the Dalbeattie coat of arms, where “hérrison” means hedgehog. At next week’s meeting of Dalbeattie Common Good Fund sub-committee, project members will seek the backing of councillors for proposals that will support habitat restoration and rewilding activities at Rounall Woods. This includes a 20mph speed limit in the area and additional ‘Beware Hedgehogs Crossing’ signs in strategic places. They also want a review of the quarry pond, which has “significant unknown plant infestation”, as well as a wider variety of tree species. A community consultation day is planned at the Dalbeattie Community Initiative Office to lay out the proposals in full. A council report on the matter states: “Expert advice will be sought from appropriate bodies as part of the community partnership. “At the time of writing, no application to the Common Good Fund has been submitted from the group. “Rounall Wood and any proposed activity in the woodland has previously been subject to significant community feedback. “Members may wish to emphasise the importance of community consultation in relation to any proposals.”