Dormice

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. Hazel dormice are a European protected species.

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 protection under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Further protection is provided by the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

For over two decades 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 involved.

How we can help:

Presence/absence or any other type of survey
European protected species licence applications
Expert witness services
Habitat surveys
Habitat management advice
Mitigation schemes
Nest box and monitoring projects
Nest tube surveys
Research projects
Training courses

We offer Dormice surveys in the following areas:

Brecon Beacons, Powys, Cardiff, Monmouthshire, Swansea, Herefordshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Newport, Carmarthenshire, Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot, South Wales, Ceredigion, Bristol, Vale of Glamorgan, Somerset, Caerphilly, Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Pembrokeshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Blaenau Gwent, Forest of Dean, Devon and Gower.

Dormice nest box and monitoring projects

Did you know?

Did you know that dormice leave distinct tooth marks when opening nuts, giving the surveyor a clue as to their presence in a woodland or hedgerow?

We are an ecological consultancy based in South Wales, which provides a wide range of ecological surveys and services with respect to British mammals and other protected species. We regularly carry out bat surveys, preliminary ecological appraisals, reptile surveys and great crested newt surveys, so we do a lot more than just mammals! As mammal specialists, we also regularly carry out badger surveys, otter surveys and we also provide water vole surveys. Whether you need a white-clawed crayfish survey, ecological input into an Environmental Impact Assessment or any other type of ecological work, we are here to help.

As a small but well resourced and staffed company we can cover all of South Wales, mid- and West Wales and the South West of England. We carry out bat surveys in Cardiff, preliminary ecological appraisals in Newport, otter surveys in Brecon, great crested newt surveys in Herefordshire and many more. Our expertise stretches to everything involved in the planning process, whether it is a bat survey for a barn conversion or a phase 1 habitat survey/preliminary ecological appraisal for a new plot. We also provide ecological management plans, method statements and of course we do bat or any other protected species licence, should you require one as part of your project.