Nest Boxes Wooden nest boxes are used in areas where there are known populations of dormice.  Dormice will nest and breed in these boxes over the summer and can be carefully monitored. There are three nest box schemes in the area and we hope to initiate some more of these nest box surveys in 2007. Volunteers need licenses to check these boxes or to go surveying with a license holder.

Nest Tubes These are temporary day-shelters for dormice. They are relatively quick and cheap to use in areas where there are no known dormice. Trained volunteers have been putting hundreds of these tubes in possible locations and checking them over the summer and autumn of 2006.

Nut Hunts Dormice eat hazel nuts in an identifiable way. They nibble neat round holes with smooth tooth marks. Hazel nuts can be sent to the project officer for identification.

What the Cat brought in  Cats often catch small mammals and in some areas our only dormice records have come from cat kills. All wildlife records are of interest; even road kills or cat kills. Send your records to www.brerc.org.uk

 If you want to get involved with any of these surveys please get in touch.

 2006 Survey Results

• The nest tubes did not result in any dormouse records for 2006. We did however find wood mice and wrens.

• The three ongoing nest box schemes were very successful at two sites, but unsuccessful at the third. Good numbers of adults and young were found throughout the summer and autumn, albeit at very low densities.

• Nut hunts resulted in three new records. One at Hawkesbury Upton and two at East Harptree.

• All results were shared with local and national partners.