Dormice
If the development of a site could impact a potential dormouse habitat, a licensed ecologist will be required to conduct a survey for your local authority before planning permission is granted. Our aim is to guide you through each stage of the planning process and to deliver the required surveys, reports and expertise in order to achieve planning permission without delay.
Dormice
Where do Dormice live?
Key habitats for dormice are diverse, continuous areas of scrub, deciduous woodland with a dense understory and well-connected, appropriately managed hedgerows.
Dormice are largely arboreal (live in trees) and rarely come to the ground. Therefore, require dense continuous vegetation to allow them to move about their territories without coming down to the ground.
They also require a diverse range of food to sustain them throughout the year, therefore, the habitats they live in must be biologically diverse with a wide range of fruiting & flowering plants.
In summary, habitats must:
- Provide range of food sources that are available across the year.
- Provide safe nesting places
- Be large in area OR well connected
Why are Dormice protected?
Hazel dormice are protected under national and international legislation.
Land-use changes and the growing human population have led to a reduction in the amount of suitable habitat available to dormice and has caused an increased amount of fragmentation and degradation of the remaining habitat. This has caused a reduction in their population size by more than 50% in the last 18 years (PTES 2019).
It is also thought that climate change and changes to weather patterns are also having a negative impact on hazel dormice.
The protection given to this species aims to ensure their existing habitat and range are maintained by protecting the breeding sites and resting locations along with protecting the individual from disturbance, capture or killing.
When can a Dormice Survey be carried out?
Various survey methods are employed to detect the presence of this European Protected Species including nut searches (Dormice leave distinct tooth marks on eaten nuts) and nest tube checks.
Nest tube checks have to be carried out over several months (April to November), reflecting the life-cycle of the dormouse and usually requires the installation of artificial nest boxes or tubes in woodland and hedgerows.
What happens if Dormice are present on my site?
Please refer to our Ecology Survey Calendar for further information on Dormice and other protected species surveys.
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Wharton undertook an initial bat survey which identified suitable areas for roosting bats and evidence of bat activity (droppings).
Wharton undertook a preliminary ecological appraisal, bat activity and emergence/return to roost surveys, and completed a shadow Habitat …
Wharton undertook an initial bat survey which identified suitable areas for roosting bats and evidence of bat activity (droppings).
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