Protected Species | Hazel Dormice

Peak Ecology can provide expert advice and site surveys for any project with the potential to impact on hazel dormice or their habitat.

Protection and Ecology

The hazel dormouse is a woodland species, spending much of their lives in deciduous or mixed forest, preferably in habitats in the early successional stages. However, they have been found to inhabit several types of sub-optimal habitats including hedgerows, coastal scrub, orchards, heathland and moorland/rush pasture. It is therefore difficult to rule out their presence where any woodland, scrub or hedgerows are present within the known distributional range.

Hazel dormice have a restricted distribution around the UK with strongholds concentrated in the southern counties. However, there are also scattered populations across much of Wales, Cheshire, Yorkshire and the Midlands. Since 1992, a systematic programme of dormice reintroductions has helped return dormice to several counties where the species was once extant.

Hazel dormice and their habitats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended); they are also a European Protected Species and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 applies. Collectively and in summary, this legislation inter alia makes it an offence to:

  • Deliberately disturb, kill, injure or capture dormice;
  • Intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection; or
  • Intentionally or recklessly damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place; or
  • Possess, or sell a wild dormouse.

Dormice are also a Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework and subject to individual national biodiversity strategies and Local Species Actions Plans (LSAP).

Services

The initial stage of determining dormouse presence will involve a habitat assessment. This information will be compiled from a site visit undertaken by an experienced ecologist combined with data from the Local Biological Records Centre and examination of historical and aerial maps of the wider landscape. Should the site be considered likely to support hazel dormice, the following survey methods may then be used to determine their presence:

  • Nut searches;
  • Searching for wild nests (breeding and hibernation);
  • Nest-tube and nest-box surveys;
  • Footprint tracking tunnels; and
  • Bait stations and motion detection cameras.

Surveys for dormice using nest-tubes and footprint tracking tunnels take place during the dormouse’ active period (April – October inclusive) and nut searches are best undertaken from September to November.

Further Services
  • Mitigation and habitat management advice;
  • Method statement production;
  • European Protected Species (EPS) licence applications;
  • Hazel dormice displacement through habitat management;
  • Hazel dormice capture and translocation; and
  • Hazel dormice population monitoring.

Mitigation strategies can also be designed to satisfy both the statutory authorities and the local planning authority.

If you are interested in any of our services, don’t hesitate to contact us >>