Hazel Dormouse Surveys
Hazel dormice are strictly protected by law and may not be intentionally killed, injured or disturbed in their nests except under licence. They are a European Protected Species as well as being protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and are a UK Priority Species. If your site lies within the normal distribution for dormice in the UK and the development has the potential to impact woodland, hedgerow or scrub, you may need a survey to see if the species is present.
There are three survey methods for dormouse and the type of survey determines the time of year.
Dormice nibble nuts in a particular, tell-tale way. Dormouse-chewed hazelnuts have a smooth inner rim with toothmarks at an angle to the hole on the nut surface. Nut searches need to be carried out by experienced ecologists who are able to recognise dormouse signs. Hazelnut searches are best carried out between September and December,
Dormouse nest tube surveys can be carried out between April and November. At least 50 tubes, spaced 15 - 20 metres apart, are installed on site by a licenced ecologist. The tubes are checked for dormouse activity on monthly visits.
Footprint tunnels can be used to survey for dormice from May to October. They are a non-invasive survey method using a charcoal-based ink pad and paper to capture the characteristic triangular footprints of dormice as they pass through the tunnel. Tunnels are placed in suitable dormouse habitat and visited six times to assess dormouse presence.
