The native hazel dormouse holds a special place in conservation efforts.  They are considered a ‘flagship species’, meaning their presence highlights the health of an entire ecosystem.  They're also a valuable ‘bio-indicator’ because they are particularly sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.  Finding dormice in an area suggests a healthy environment with well-connected habitats that support a variety of other sensitive species.

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Primarily found in southern England and Wales, the species was never native to Ireland or Scotland; however, since approximately 2010, populations of hazel dormouse have appeared in Ireland and are understood to be spreading in distribution, leading to research on their potential to become an invasive species there.  They favour diverse habitats like woodlands with a good mix of mature trees and dense undergrowth, hedgerows, and scrublands.

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Numbers of dormice have declined significantly in the past 100 years. The total adult population is now thought to be around 45,000 (Battersby, 2005), distributed among a variety of widely fragmented sites.

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In an attempt to address this decline in population, dormice are designated as European Protected Species (EPS). They are listed in Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017), as well as Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). As such, it is an offence to capture, kill, disturb or trade hazel dormice, as well as damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place they may use for shelter or protection.

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Planning applications for developments will have to consider the potential to harm dormice or their habitats.

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Aven Ecology can provide advice and recommendations to developers when undertaking works which may affect them, including increasing noise or light levels, woodland and hedgerow management, and habitat removal. If damage is unavoidable, we will assist in the application of a mitigation licence to enable the works to be undertaken legally. 

 

Desk Study - We undertake extensive and detailed desk-based searches of known dormouse records in the local area, and details of designated conservation sites for dormice and suitable local habitats.

 

Field Surveys:

• Desk-study and Habitat Assessment;

• Search for nuts with characteristic dormouse tooth-marks;

• Deployment, collection and survey of dormice nest boxes or nest tubes.