Dormouse

Bluebell Ecology can assist with dormouse surveys, mitigation and licensing

How we can help you:

Following a preliminary visual inspection of the site and taking into account information gleaned from the local biodiversity records centre, Bluebell Ecology will, if necessary, assist with the dormouse presence/absence survey. This can include installation of monitoring devices, suitable regular monitoring and appropriate reporting.

Dormouse Licensing and Mitigation  

If dormouse presence is recorded at the development site then a license from the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Organisation (which in England is Natural England) may be required if the dormice are likely to be affected. Bluebell Ecology can assist with the license application and any required mitigation strategy. 
Additional Services:
  • Advice on how to incorporate dormouse habitat into development.
  • Habitat enhancement and design
  • Ecological clerk of works services to ensure licence conditions are satisfied
Please contact us for more information or to arrange a quote.
UK Dormouse Distribution:
Dormouse numbers have declined in number and their distribution throughout the UK due to a combination of habitat loss, fragmentation and deterioration, due to poor habitat management and development. This has resulted in the species being vulnerable to extinction. 
UK Dormouse Habitat:
Traditionally dormice were predominantly associated with a mainly hazel habitat. Evidence now suggests that dormice can survive in a variety of woody habitats. These include:
  • ancient semi-natural woodlands with hazel coppice and standard oaks
  • species-rich scrub
  • hedgerows
  • plantation conifers 
  • rural gardens
  • heathland Culm grassland and other habitats where these occur close to woodland. 
Some of these sites may be sub-optimal habitat, which results in low densities of dormice, but others often harbour large numbers. Non typical habitat should therefore not necessarily result in an assumed absence.
Dormouse Legislation:
The hazel or common dormouse is protected under both the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Dormice, their resting places and their breeding sites are fully protected in law.  

Without a licence it is an offence to:
  • deliberately disturb, capture, injure or kill them. 
  • damage or destroy their breeding or resting places, 
  • disturb or obstruct access to any place used by them for shelter. 
  • possess, or sell a wild dormouse.
Please choose from our other protected species surveys that we offer below: