Hi daffydill
Identifying hedgehogs by their behaviour is mostly not a reliable method. Because other hogs could use the same behaviour. Although there is occasionally one who has quite different characteristics. For instance I used to have one who always dug through the food and always went round the bowl in a clockwise direction. She was very distinctive visually as well, so I knew it was always her. But it is possible to identify them by their natural markings.
Hedgehogs don’t mind outside lights being left on – it is if they go on and off that some don’t like them. What I used to do is watch them from inside, so that my presence did not interfere with their behaviour at all. If you are outside even if you are quiet they will probably be able to smell your presence. But I did use binoculars to get a really close up view of their faces, etc.
I wrote some tips a while back to help with natural identification, which you might find helpful. https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/forums/topic/identifying-hedgehogs-from-their-natural-markings/
Good luck and happy hog watching.
