Proof of Hedgehogs

The constant presence in our pockets of mobile phones does not imply that there should be ample photographic evidence for all kinds of forteana. Try taking a picture of even a common bird without preparation. It took me ages to get a non-blurry picture of the jackdaws that frequent the green outside my house. As for the red kites that regularly circle over the same space, even though they are very large birds, I’ve yet to catch an identifiable picture of one. Rabbits, bats, hedgehogs and foxes also make regular visits, and I once saw a badger at the bus stop at five in the morning; it went snuffling past me on its way somewhere, 4ft (1.2m) of muscle and claws – but you will have to take my word for the existence of all these fabulous beasts, as I’ve never caught a picture of any of them.

I can prove the existence of roe deer, but of course I could have doctored those pics.

Dean Teasdale

Gateshead, Tyne & Wear