Hazel Dormice take up residency in Southwater - Update from HDC

Following up on the recent update from Horsham District Council's Parks and Countryside newsletter: Tucked away in a small woodland in Southwater lives a special and elusive resident – the hazel dormouse. These charming creatures, with their golden-brown fur, large black eyes, and bushy tails, are not only a joy to spot but also a vital part of the woodland ecosystem.

Photo: Woodland Trust UK

Hazel dormice have a varied diet that changes with the seasons: they feed on shrub flowers in the spring, insects in the summer, and fruits and nuts in the autumn. As temperatures drop, they hibernate on the ground through the winter months, often in tightly woven nests hidden among leaf litter.

Unfortunately, dormice are thought to be in decline across the UK, largely due to the loss and poor management of woodland habitats. To help support the local population, the Countryside Team of Horsham District Council carried out hazel coppicing earlier this year – a traditional method of woodland management that encourages new growth and provides ideal conditions for dormice.

In addition, a licensed ecologist is conducting regular surveys as part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme. Supporting this effort, the local community group Men’s in Sheds Horsham have kindly volunteered to craft wooden nest boxes, offering safe and secure homes for these tiny mammals.

Dormouse Box in Southwater by Men's in Sheds Horsham

Fascinating Facts About Hazel Dormice:

• Dormice are excellent climbers and rarely come down to the ground, except during hibernation.

• They are nocturnal and spend most of the day sleeping, becoming active only at night.

• Dormice can hibernate for up to six months depending on the weather – and may enter a state called “torpor” in cold summer spells.

• The presence of hazel dormice is a good indicator of a healthy, well-managed woodland.

• Their nests are beautifully woven from strips of bark and grasses – and lined with leaves for insulation.
  

Protecting hazel dormice is a community effort, and thanks to ongoing conservation work and local support, Southwater’s woodland remains a safe haven for these precious little animals.