Dormice

Dormouse habitats include deciduous, mixed and coniferous woodland and hedgerows.  Dormice are found in England and Wales and more common in southern counties.  If suitable habitat is found during initial site assessments then presence/likely absence surveys may be required.

Surveys for dormice involve installing nest boxes and dormouse tubes into suitable habitat and then checking for evidence of dormice such as their nests. The survey season extends from April to October/November. Survey licenses are required from Natural England to allow dormice to be disturbed in boxes or tubes. Corylus Ecology have a number of ecologists holding full dormouse survey licenses.

Where dormice will be adversely affected by development, an EPS development and conservation license would be required from Natural England. Where dormouse habitat is to be lost, mitigation may include providing new dormouse habitat and/or enhancing existing retained habitat. Corylus Ecology have held a number of EPS licenses for development of sites with dormice including housing developments and road enhancement schemes.