There is only one species of native dormouse in the UK – The hazel or common dormouse. Numbers have declined due to habitat loss and fragmentation and are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as well as the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
To detect the presence/likely absence of dormice on or adjacent to a development site, nest tube surveys are conducted by a licensed ecologist. Surveys can only take place when dormice are active. Nut searches can be undertaken in the autumn and winter to look for hazelnuts that have been eaten by dormice, which chew into the nuts by forming a neat and smooth hole unique to this species. Nut searches however can only be used as an indication of presence and are not commonly used as evidence of likely absence unless deemed suitable by an experienced ecologist.
The common dormouse can be found in deciduous woodland and species rich hedgerows of a certain maturity that are connected to surrounding woodland.
The common dormouse can be found in deciduous woodland and species rich hedgerows of a certain maturity that are connected to surrounding woodland.