Dormice

Dormice - how can we help you?

In the United Kingdom there are three species of dormice. In addition to our native species the common or hazel dormouse, (Muscardinus avellanarius), parts of England also play host to the fat or ‘edible’ dormouse and the garden dormouse. All three are rare across Europe and as a result are fully protected in law.

Whilst dormice are rodents they share little in common with true mice, preferring to live in woodlands and mature hedgerows. Dormice can be quite long lived, up to five years in exceptional circumstances. Unlike true mice, dormice have fur on the insides of their ears and on their tails, and this is essential to animal that needs to save heat, particularly in hibernation. This ability to hibernate through harsh winter weather results in the hazel dormouse being known as the seven sleeper in some parts of Europe, as they literally do seem to disappear for months during the winter.

The hazel dormouse has suffered a significant decline in the last century and in 1981 they, and the woods and hedges they live in, were given full protection under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Further protection is provided by the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

For over eighteen years we have been working to conserve dormice and their habitats. We have unrivalled experience in surveying for dormice, using hazel nut searches, nest tubes and trapping to assess presence of absence. We can advise you on dormouse mitigation measures and no matter how large or small the project our licenced operatives can assist you where dormice are involve.

Services

• All types of surveys
• European protected species licence applications
• Expert witness services
• Habitat surveys
• Habitat management advice
• Mitigation schemes
• Nest box and monitoring projects
• Research projects
• Training courses