Extremely elusive and increasingly rare, the hazel dormouse is unlike other rodents, being long-lived and highly specialised in its ability to hibernate. The hazel dormouse is shy, secretive and nocturnal, so you are not very likely to see a dormouse, but quite a lot is now known about this elusive animal. Find out more about our dormice in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight County Dormouse Survey 2021
Nationally, dormouse numbers appear to be declining by about 50% a year, and their range also contracting. Hampshire should be a stronghold for the species, but there are indications that populations are declining. To date, no systematic survey of a County for dormice has been undertaken, so we would like to be the first to try and achieve this, to get a better understanding of distribution across Hampshire. This will help target future conservation efforts in the County.
Go to our Hampshire and Isle of Wight County Dormouse Survey page for more info, and find out how to get involved.
Join us and become a member of the Hampshire Dormouse Group to receive all the benefits of membership as well as helping to conserve our dormouse populations in Hampshire.
Have you seen a dormouse? Submit your records of dormice found in Hampshire. These records are essential to understand our dormouse populations and support their conservation.
We monitor dormouse populations by carrying out nest box surveys several times a year. We might find a dormouse nest, an individual dormouse snoozing, or a whole family jumping around!
We are committed to managing and monitoring dormice in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. We are finding out about the distribution of dormice across the county by dormouse monitoring as part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme. We promote dormouse friendly site and landscape management and support landowners with habitat management. We seek opportunities for education and training, and promote the highest environmental and ethical standards.
This years training course will be held on MS Teams over three evenings- Monday 8th, 15th and 22nd March 2021, 19:00- 21:00. If you would like to register, please complete the attached form and make payment using the… Read More
Annual General Meeting Tuesday 9th February at 7.30pm via MS Teams. This will include an update to the year as well as an introduction to the Countryside Survey and how to get involved. If you would like to… Read More
Unfortunately, given the current situation with COVID-19, we’ve made the decision to postpone the Dormouse Ecology and Conservation course, which was due to take place on 20-21st April. We will hope to run this course again later in… Read More
Hampshire Dormouse Group 