Viral picture prompts call for more Islanders to help wildlife in their gardens

A WOMAN whose cat became a social media star for befriending hedgehogs in her garden has encouraged others to follow her lead and help local wildlife.

Nikki Summers, who lives in St Lawrence, posted a photo of her cat Percy surrounded by a group of hedgehogs in her garden on Facebook.

The post garnered attention from hundreds of Islanders, with Nikki’s friends telling her she is like a “Disney princess”.

As well as hedgehogs, Nikki’s garden – which is located on a green lane – has been visited by birds, ducks, squirrels and even a peacock.

She said she wants to encourage other Islanders to support their own local wildlife – whether that is with a bird feeder, water, or by creating passages for hedgehogs to move between gardens.

Nikki moved to St Lawrence two years ago and was delighted by the amount of wildlife she sees now, after previously living in town and in St Saviour.

She said that around six weeks ago, she saw a “really big” hedgehog in the garden and put some water out for him.

“The next day, there were two, then three,” said Nikki. “One night, there were seven!”

Nikki thought they might be hedgehogs that were rescued and released back into the wild nearby.

“They can get really close to you – one foot or two away,” she added.

She hasn’t yet learnt to tell apart the hedgehogs, apart from one larger one who arrives first.

Nikki added that she was unsure if the group of hedgehogs – known as a “prickle” – were a family, a pack, or if they only came together for mealtimes.

But, regardless of their relationship, the prickle has given Nikki “so much to see”.

“I have started not sitting in front of the TV, but sitting in the garden watching wildlife,” she said. “It’s wonderful to help wildlife.”