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A nibbled hazelnut causes excitement as the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Alton Water’s owners, Anglian Water, find evidence of the rare native dormouse
Dormice have been discovered on an Anglian Water site for the first time after years of searching.
It was the distinctive nibble marks on a hazelnut found last summer which first suggested these elusive mammals had made Alton Water their new home.
Anglian Water, together with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, quickly put in place a survey to gather information on the species. Together they put up specially designed nest tubes in the trees around Alton Water and waited patiently to see if dormice would move in.
The results have exceeded expectations. Dormice were found in three of these tubes, and nests in a further six.
Although dormice are known to be living in woods near to Alton Water, this is the first conclusive evidence of the tiny creatures’ presence at the reservoir itself; previous site surveys have always ended without success.
The tiny rodents, which have been endangered for many years, can spend up to three quarters of their lives asleep. They are also the only rodent with a completely furry tail. Sadly dormice populations have decreased over the years as their natural habitats have been neglected and destroyed.
Evidence in the report by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust suggests that dormice may even have crossed the busy A137 road to reach scrub and woodland habitats around the reservoir. This was a surprise for researchers as dormice are normally tree dwelling mammals.
Simone Bullion, Senior Conservation Advisor at the Suffolk Wildlife Trust said: “This is a very exciting discovery and one that should provide considerable new habitat opportunities for dormice in this part of Suffolk.
“Future monitoring work will help secure the long term future of this very scarce species.”
Simon Waters, Head Warden at Alton Water said: “It is fantastic news that we have discovered dormice here at Alton Water, particularly given all the hard work our staff and volunteers have done recently to make this section of the site more inviting to plants and wildlife.
“Now we know they are here we will be able to manage the site accordingly and make sure Alton Water continues to be an inviting habitat for this nocturnal mammal.
“This may include introducing more hazel and honeysuckle, two of the plants Dormice are particularly fond of when creating their nests.
“Research also shows that if the habitat is right for dormice then many other species will thrive here which is great news for our Biodiversity Action Plan.”
Biodiversity is a priority at Anglian Water and the company spends over £500,000 a year on improving its sites for wildlife. This latest success is further encouragement that the work being done is creating results.
At other Anglian Water reservoirs visitors may now be lucky enough to see osprey, barn owls and other rare creatures.
The initial survey was deemed such a success that enthusiastic Alton Water volunteers are now planning to build and put up more than 50 permanent nest boxes as part of a 10 year national monitoring scheme administered by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species.
This scheme will allow staff at the Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Anglian Water to see just how far dormice have ventured into the site and how their population fares in future years.