Dormice Surveys

Hawthorn kernels opened by a Dormouse, with characteristic smooth, round hole without gnaw marks

Dormice have a restricted distribution with the vast majority present in the southern areas of the UK. They are nocturnal and arboreal feeding mainly on flowers, fruits and insects. They are legally protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Habitats Regulations 1994.

A Dormouse survey by The Wildlife Survey Unit would:

Captive hibernation Dormouse nest
  • Collate available desk records from the Local Biological Records Centre
  • Identify the presence of Dormice within a given area using survey techniques such as nut searches, nest searches, hair tube surveys and nestbox surveys
  • Identify the locations of all signs of dormice
  • Define measures needed to be taken to ensure legal compliance

For further information on Dormice please refer to Natural England's Species Information Note 005 - Dormouse European Protected Species.