April is a good time to begin undertaking dormouse nest-tube surveys. Ideally, dormouse nest tubes should be in place in early April in time to attract dormice when they come out of hibernation in late April to early May. The exact time that dormice emerge from hibernation varies from year to year, dependent on weather conditions, food availability and location within the UK.
Nest tubes should be attached to trees and shrubs using garden wire or plastic ties. The tubes should be fastened underneath horizontal branches with the opening facing into the cover of the hedge, shrub or tree. Nest tubes should be checked during the summer months at fortnightly intervals.
It is advisable that nest tubes are installed by a licensed dormouse ecologist. At least 50 tubes should be installed, spaced 15 to 20 meters apart and left in place from April for the whole season. The tubes should be inspected at monthly intervals.
An index of probability is used to determine a score to ensure that the survey has been adequately carried. A score of 20 or over is needed for the survey to be considered sufficiently robust and give confidence that a false negative result has not been obtained.
Month Index of probability (if using 50 nest tubes)
April 1
May 4
June 2
July 2
August 5
September 7
October 2
November 2
For surveys starting later in the season there is an option of increasing the number of tubes used to 100 or 150 to increase the probability of detecting dormouse but this is less preferable than having a season’s worth of data.
Dormice are fully protected under UK and European law and it is an offence to disturb them, or to damage their habitats. Check out the video by the Mammal Society on Dormouse tubes.
Our licensed dormouse specialists are experienced in survey, European Protected Species licensing, as well as mitigation design and implementation.
For more information about Dormouse Surveys and the other Ecology Services we can offer, call us on 029 2065 0331, contact us on info@acerecology.co.uk or click here for examples of our work.
