Hazel Dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius L.) monitoring

We were privleged to be able to support PTES with carrying out the October dormice monitoring at PTES Briddlesford Woods, working to strict COVID-19 guidelines as a group of six, and as households of three groups of two. The weekend being also my only opportunity in 2020 to continue with training towards the goal of holding a dormice licence.

We enjoyed and recorded dormice nests, family groups and individual dormice.

Along with the dormice we also encountered wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) and pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus), in the dormice boxes; as well as the island speciality red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in the woodland canopy above. I also observed a red squirrel careering around the garden of our Air B&B, whilst partaking in my morning coffee.