Protecting one of Britain’s rarest mammals, the Hazel Dormouse.

This week we are celebrating the Hazel dormouse, Britain’s only native dormouse, and we are delighted to say we have found a nest likely to belong to the mammal at Turnastone Court Farm. 

The nest was found in one of the nest tubes at the Herefordshire farm during the September survey, and is very exciting, says Ruth, our conservation officer, based at Turnastone  and Awnells Farm. 

She has been learning to survey dormice through the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP). Once widespread, the dormouse is now one of our rarest mammals and is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List for Britain’s Mammals.  

The NDMP monitors long-term population trends by installing a minimum of 50 nest boxes at each site. These boxes are checked at least twice a year during the breeding season, with important information collected on the number, sex, weight, and age of the dormice found. 

Through volunteering, Ruth has been learning how to safely handle dormice (as well as wood and yellow-necked mice), identify males and females, and recognising different age stages, always under the supervision of a licensed handler. With enough experience, she will be able to apply for her own Level 1 licence (CL10a) in dormouse survey and research. 

Stuart Moore (volunteer at Turnastone who has a licence to survey for hazel dormice) checking for a potential occupant in a dormouse nest box, Turnastone.

Stuart Moore (volunteer at Turnastone who has a licence to survey for hazel dormice) checking for a potential occupant in a dormouse nest box, Turnastone.

A likely hazel dormouse nest found inside a nest tube while surveying for dormice at Turnastone. Accompanied by a licenced individual.

A likely hazel dormouse nest found inside a nest tube while surveying for dormice at Turnastone. Notice the small entrance hole to the nest. Accompanied by a licenced individual.

A likely hazel dormouse nest found inside a nest tube while surveying for dormice at Turnastone. Notice the small entrance hole to the nest. Accompanied by a licenced individual.

Why Dormice Are in Decline 

Hazel Dormice are now extinct in 17 English counties where they once thrived (NBN, 2019). Their decline is largely due to the loss of woodland and hedgerows, combined with the deterioration of their remaining habitats.  Fluctuating winter temperatures, changing weather patterns and wetter winters caused by climate change are also negatively impacting Hazel dormice making winter hibernation harder to survive. 

Dormice need: 

  • Diverse habitats to provide food throughout their active period 

  • Tree holes for nesting. 

  • Dense understory for raising young. 

  • Hedgerows and bramble banks to move safely between habitats. 

Unfortunately, much of this landscape was lost during the intensification of farming after the Second World War and through increasing development. As a result, dormouse populations are now isolated and vulnerable, making habitat protection, enhancement, and connectivity vital. 

Dormice at Turnastone and Awnells Farms 

At Turnastone Court Farm, volunteers installed additional nest boxes last winter.  

One of our volunteers, Stuart Moore, has been granted a licence to survey dormice and has further checks planned for autumn.  

 “In 2022, we installed around 30 footprint tunnels at Turnastone and Awnells as part of a master’s research project,” says Ruth. 

“Dormouse footprints were found in 77 tunnels across nine visits at Turnastone, and in 85 tunnels at Awnells. This showed there was lots of dormouse activity in the hedges surveyed, proving the species is still present at both sites.” 

Ruth Moss holding a dormouse whilst volunteering at a site in Herefordshire (not CRT property)

Ruth Moss holding a dormouse whilst volunteering at a site in Herefordshire (not CRT property)

Ruth Moss holding a dormouse whilst volunteering at a site in Herefordshire (not CRT property)

Protecting the Future 

To give the Hazel dormouse the best chance of survival, we need to protect the woodlands and hedgerows where they are still found, improve the quality of these habitats, and reconnect them so dormice can move safely between areas.  

Monitoring programmes, like the ones Ruth is volunteering with, provide vital information about how dormice populations are faring and help guide future conservation work.  

How to support us

If you want to help us protect local wildlife and habitats, you can join as a CRT Friend, attend our in-person and online events and volunteer on one of our farms. You can also sign-up to our monthly newsletter 'CRT News' for regular updates from our farms, straight to your inbox. 

Join Events Volunteer

News

Published: September 2025

Manage Cookie Preferences