Dormouse Nest Boxes: Monitoring Without Disturbance

Dormouse nest boxes enable population monitoring and support breeding without the disturbance associated with direct nest searches.

Key Facts

Dormice readily use nest boxes placed in suitable woodland habitat at 1-2 metre height
Checking nest boxes in summer allows population assessment without disturbing natural nest sites
Boxes must be licensed for dormouse use in Britain due to their protected status
Dormice weigh 15-40g and become torpid at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius
Box networks covering woodland provide long-term population trend data invaluable for conservation

Welfare Considerations

Dormouse welfare is protected by avoiding nest disturbance during sensitive periods. Licensed box checking in summer allows welfare assessment including body condition, breeding status and population density without disturbing natural nests. Box checking outside the breeding season, especially in autumn before hibernation, provides body condition data that predicts hibernation survival. The monitoring data gathered through nest box networks has been essential to understanding dormouse welfare needs and designing effective conservation responses to population decline.

What You Can Do

Install dormouse nest boxes in suitable woodland or dense hedgerow habitat if in dormouse range
Contact the Dormouse Monitoring Programme for guidance on box checking protocols
Participate in licensed dormouse monitoring surveys with appropriate supervision
Advocate for woodland management that creates the diverse habitat structure dormice require