dormouse nest boxes
Dormouse nest boxes are wooden boxes similar to bird boxes, but with the entrance hole at the back of the box facing the tree. As well as providing additional shelter for hazel dormice, and other visitors, they offer a way of detecting these rare creatures. Large numbers of boxes can boost populations and be used as an effective survey method.
funding for dormouse boxes
PTES has a specific fund and application process for dormouse nest boxes. The fund is limited and competitive therefore consideration will be given to the location of the site, the type of habitat and also whether it is a long running site within the NDMP. Applications are welcomed at any time of year to replace or provide new boxes. Currently we are working with Doncaster prison and are able to source to boxes at a low cost. However because of this delivery/ pick up is a consideration. The successful applicants will have to arrange collection from either Doncaster or Hampshire. We can sometimes give up to £50 towards pick up costs.
If your application isn’t successful or you have several sites you’d like to put boxes up at we may be able to supply them at a cost of only £3 per box and delivery. Please enquire for more details.
making dormouse boxes
PTES does not promote the use of any preservative for nestboxes. Some softwood timbers grown in this country such as larch, red cedar and Douglas fir have excellent durability as exterior boards. PTES promote the use of locally grown timber which encourages good woodland man-agement practices.
- download the PTES dormouse nestbox design here to make yourself.
- Phil Smith, a dormouse monitor from Wiltshire, has also written some detailed instructions on how to make nest boxes from sheets of plywood after being given a PTES box fund grant.
click here for instructions (please do NOT use preservative as mentioned here)
sketch 1
sketch 2
Please note inspecting nest boxes requires a licence from Natural England or the Countryside Council for Wales in areas where dormice are already known to be present. If boxes or tubes are put out speculatively to detect presence, this in itself does not require a licence, but a licence is essential once the first dormouse has been found. Read more about the use of nest boxes in Natural England’s Dormouse Conservation Handbook.
