Dormouse Surveys

The hazel dormouse is one of several protected species in the UK. As an agile climber, they are predominantly nocturnal and also known for hibernating for seven months of the year. These small but mighty creatures are identified as flagship species because their conservation affects other species within the same habitat. It’s for this reason that, if you suspect they are present, you should conduct a hazel dormouse survey.

Whilst they are recognised to occupy variations of habitats, they are most likely to be found in places such as hedgerows, woodland, and shrubs.

Dormouse Survey Legislation

Unfortunately, dormice have declined in both numbers and distribution by at least 50% over the last century and continue to deteriorate, making dormouse surveys…

Dormouse Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (“PEA”)

For any kind of development, an initial site assessment is required to identify habitats present on site that may support protected species, like dormice….

Visual Searches & Nest Tube Dormouse Surveys

Visual searches seek gnawed hazel nuts within the grounds to determine the presence of dormice on a site. Nest tube surveys are also used…

European Protected Species (“EPS”) Mitigation Licences

An EPS mitigation licence is issued by Natural England under the Conservation of Species and Habitats Regulations 2010 (as amended). It is issued in order to…

Mitigation & Enhancements

Mitigation measures are a way of reducing the unavoidable negative impacts on hazel dormice a development will have. Some examples include: If no other…

Overseeing & Translocation Works

Overseeing works, including toolbox talks, consist of a watching brief during construction to ensure installation and works are kept outside a buffer zone to protect any dormouse. Translocation works see individual dormice caught and translocated to a suitable receptor site that is conducted under an EPS mitigation licence. The reason for these measures is to avoid killing or injuring individual dormice. Find out how else we can provide construction support.

What We Offer

LPAs require sufficient information to ensure wildlife obtains the highest protection against injury or disturbance during development. For your commercial or domestic development proposal, this usually means undertaking a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (“PEA”), and further dormouse surveys if the species is likely to be present.

If hazel dormice are present, it is likely that a European Protected Species (“EPS”) mitigation license and an appropriate mitigation strategy will be mandatory in order to proceed with the works. Greenlight can help with these requirements.