Last year’s dormouse box checks were not reported in a website bulletin due to an unavoidable temporary pause in group activities before Christmas, although they were briefly mentioned in the 2021 News Sheet. To provide a more comprehensive description to compensate, the following report is published.

 

 

A dormouse pictured enjoying a meal of honeysuckle.

 

Dormice nationally are very scarce and frustratingly difficult to detect. In many areas conservationists rely on nesting and feeding evidence left, footprint tunnel detection pads and motion detection cameras in order to confirm their presence when physical sightings are not possible. Sadly, it is the case across the country that dormouse numbers are even declining at re-introduction sites where a presence has been re-established. In our area we only erect dormouse boxes where we have at some stage witnessed them, or found old nests or food left- overs that bear their hallmarks when we have undertaken advance surveys with plastic investigation tubes. This currently amounts to four possible locations selected from a survey of the many woodlands in our local area and in which permanent wooden boxes have been erected in their place.

 

A volunteer installing dormouse boxes.

 

Since the initial positive results, subsequent box checks have proved frustratingly disappointing to establish a continuing evidence of dormice. The positive sightings we have recorded previously have been of lone individuals.

In these woodlands we have mounted an even distribution of boxes and check them frequently throughout the summer between April and November. Such is their scarcity, that we no longer expect to find a dormouse but when we do, we celebrate its presence.

 

 

A volunteer searching for evidence of dormouse nut consumption.

 

From a general wildlife perspective, the dormouse boxes provide a marvellous opportunity for nesting wood mice, great tits and blue tits with the ability to negotiate the rear entrance hole set against tree trunks and branches. Here they are regularly found raising their young. Others are used by the wood mice for creating food stores of acorns, hazel nuts, seeds and berries which unfortunately can attract the grey squirrel. When this happens the boxes are destroyed in the squirrel’s effort to gain access.

 

 

 A damaged dormouse box following a squirrel attack.

 

In our endeavour to sustain the dormouse population wherever possible, we will continue diligently with our checks in the knowledge that we have either had a previous presence or discovered signs of a possible habitation in each of the selected areas. All food stores found are examined for dormouse consumption traces and other clues of a presence but the vast majority of findings last year were non-dormouse related. The following pictures are included as a record of last year’s surveys and some of our findings. Although the dormouse continues to be elusive, you can join with us to celebrate the beauty of nature through our findings and other species found.

 

  An examined box being returned to its former position.

 

 Another box containing a stored food supply of acorns.

 

 A wood mouse found relaxing in a comfortable nest of leaves.

 

 A box containing a well feathered birds nest in readiness for egg laying. 

 

 Another box containing a clutch of bluetit’s eggs. 

 

 One of the many adult bluetits found capitalising on the dormouse box initiative to lay her eggs. 

 

  A wood mouse occupant of another examined box.

 

This box housed a family of wood mice.

 

 From beneath a nest of leaves a single wood mouse emerges.

 

 A store of delicious wood mouse food to sustain the occupants of this box.

 

 Bluetits are small enough to utilise the small entry hole at the rear of the dormouse box and are found in a large number of boxes in our woodland installations.

 

 Detecting our presence, these young bluetits don’t care who they ask to feed them.

 

We strive to disturb any species found as little as possible to allow them to continue to flourish in the relative safety of our boxes. When the nests are finished and the occupants have departed, the boxes are cleaned out in readiness for future residents which will hopefully include a dormouse presence.