Dormouse report, Dinah's Hollow

1.1 LC Ecological Services Limited were commissioned by Dorset Council to conduct hazel dormouse presence/absence surveys at Dinah’s Hollow, Melbury Abbas, Shaftsbury, Dorset, Ordnance Survey Grid reference ST 88282 20546. The proposals include the installation of mesh along the steep slopes to address soil erosion issues.

1.2 The site comprises Dinah’s Hollow consisting of a mature woodland strip to the west and east of Dinah’s Hollow Road with steep sides dominated by scrub habitat.

1.3 A total of four hazel dormouse nests were confirmed on site with three confirmed to the west of Dinah’s Hollow and one to the east.

1.4 This survey has confirmed the presence of dormice on site therefore, a European Protected Species Licence will be required to allow works to proceed legally.

1.5 Mitigation and compensation planting have been recommended in section 6.

2.1 LC Ecological Services Limited were commissioned by Dorset Council to conduct hazel dormouse presence/absence surveys at Dinah’s Hollow, Melbury Abbas, Shaftsbury, Dorset, Ordnance Survey Grid reference ST 88282 20546. The proposals include the installation of soil nails and mesh along the steep slopes to address slope stability issues. A site location plan is provided in appendix I and the proposed plans in appendix II.

2.2    The site comprises Dinah’s Hollow consisting of a mature woodland strip to the west and east of Dinah’s Hollow Road with steep sides dominated by scrub habitat.

2.3    The objectives of this study were:

• to record and map evidence of dormouse activity
• to make an initial ecological assessment of the site in respect to dormouse
• to detail potential ecological constraints in respect to dormouse and
• to make recommendations for mitigation, compensation and enhancements for the site in relation to dormouse
   

Legislation

3.1 Hazel dormouse are protected as a European Protected Species under the 2017 Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, which implements the EC Habitat Directive 92/43/EEC in the United Kingdom. The regulations protect hazel dormouse against:

• deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animals
• deliberately disturb wild animals of any such species, in particular any disturbance which is likely to impair their ability to survive, to breed or reproduce; to rear or nurture their young; to hibernate or migrate or affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong
• damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal and/or
• to be in possession of or to control, transport any live or dead animal or any part of an animal; to sell or exchange or offer for sale or exchange any live or dead animals or part of an animal that is protected

3.2 Hazel dormice are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), where dormice are listed under Schedule 5 and are subject to the provisions of Section 9.4b and 9.4c, which make it an offence to:

• intentionally or recklessly disturb a dormouse while it is occupying a structure or place which it uses for shelter or protection and
• intentionally or recklessly obstruct access to any structure or place used for shelter or protection by a dormouse

Study area

4.1 The site is located at central Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference ST 88282 20546 and the study area comprises the site plus 2 kilometres for granted Protected Species Licences.

Nest tube and footprint survey

4.2 Dormouse nest tubes were installed across the site by ecologists Rob McCalman and Alex Sinclar on the 13th April 2023, in accordance with the methodology described in the Dormouse Conservation Handbook (Bright et al, 2006).

4.3 A total of 50 dormouse tubes were deployed across the site in suitable habitat for hazel dormouse (Refer to appendix III for locations). In addition to the tubes, ten dormice footprint tunnels were also deployed across the site. Fortnightly survey visits were undertaken between May and November 2023 by licensed ecologist Aimee Cokayne (2019-042601-CLS-CLS). This survey followed the methodology outlined in Guidance for using Hazel Dormouse Footprint Tunnels (Bullion & Looser, 2019) and involves deploying the tubes, which include a tracking medium formed from charcoal and olive oil which is imprinted on a paper element by small mammals commuting through the un-baited trap. The tracking points were checked and re-inked every two weeks. This gives a 95% confidence limit of detecting dormice, even at low densities.

4.4 On each visit, all tubes were inspected for the presence of dormouse or evidence of occupation by dormice, such as nests. Evidence of use by other mammals was also recoded. In addition, every two weeks the paper in the dormouse tubes were changed and inspected for any dormouse prints.

4.5 The Dormouse Conservation Handbook describes a scoring system for nest tube surveys which provides an indicator of the thoroughness of the surveys. The system is based upon an index of probability where each month that dormice are active are provided with a score of the likelihood of finding occupation on these months. Table 1 summaries these values. A minimum score of 20 is required to provide a robust survey effort.

Table 1: Index of probability of finding dormouse present in nest tubes

Month	April	May	June	July	August	Setpt	Oct	Nov	Total
Index score	1	4	2	2	5	7	2	2	25

4.6  Values for each month are based on 50 tubes being used. During the surveys at Dinah’s Hollow a total of 50 tubes were used therefore, an overall score of 25 was achieved on site.

Limitations

4.7 During the survey there was no access limitations, and all surveys were conducted in accordance with best practice guidelines.

5.1    A search of the MAGIC Maps identified no granted dormouse Protected Species Licences within a 2-kilometre radius of the site.

Nest Tube Survey

5.2    Appendix IV provides the full results of the dormouse surveys with a summary of the dormouse encountered presented in Table 2 below. In summary, a peak count of four dormouse nests were recorded on site (Refer to appendix V for photographs and appendix VI Dormouse Results Map).

Table 2: Summary of confirmed dormouse nests at Dinah's Hollow

Date	Tubes/footprint tunnels	Weather conditions	Results
25 August 2023	Dormouse tubes and footprint check/install paper	Sunny and humid with rain clouds 19 to 20 degrees C wind 1/12 Cloud cover 5/8	Dormouse recorded in tube E23 (///exclusive.classmates.empire)
8 October 2023	Dormouse tubes and footprint check	Sunny and warm  14 to 19  degrees C Cloud 1/8 Wind 1/12	Start of a next in W19 ///outsmart.cello.hedgehog
10 November 2023	Dormouse tubes and footprint check	Sunny with a cool wind 14 degrees C Cloud 3/8 Wind 3/12	Dormouse nests recorded in the following nests: E23///exclusive.classmate.empire W20 first recorded September ///utensil.schematic.tonic W23 first recorded September ///silently.investors.papers W19///outsmart.cello.hedgehog

Footprint survey

5.3    During the footprint tunnel surveys only wood mouse prints were recorded in the tunnels. No dormouse prints were confirmed.

 

6.1    The proposals will result in the loss of up to 25% of the wooded slope to be temporarily removed to facilitate the works. The potential impacts of these works on dormice include:

• loss of habitat
• potential fragmentation of habitats
• potential risk of killing/injuring a dormouse

6.2    When mitigation is not considered, the works will have a significant adverse impact on dormouse at a regional level.

6.1    Mitigation measures

6.3    The surveys confirmed the presence of dormice within the site therefore, a European Protected Species Licence (EPS) will be required to allow works to be undertaken legally.

6.4    The dormouse licence will detail measures to include the avoidance of vegetation clearance between June and early September when adult dormice have dependent young. Clearance will be carried out in either of the following two ways depending on the time of year works take place (active season or inactive season):

• Inactive Season Clearance: two-stage vegetation clearance using hand tool (strimmers and chainsaws) with trees and scrub being cut back to between 200mm and 500mm. Once dormice fully emerge from hibernation, by the end of May, a full clearance of the area can continue. Ideal timing of works for the first stage is between November and March inclusive. This time avoids the majority of the period when dormice might be found in nests above ground. The second stage cannot be carried out prior to May of the following season.
• Active Season Clearance: clearance of vegetation during the active season is only suitable for small areas (less than 50 square metres of woodland). This involves taking out small areas at a time when animals are active. Works should be carried out in May only as this will avoid the time of the year when dormouse are with young (early June to late September). Single stage clearance can be undertaken between mid-September and October.

6.5    In addition, details of replacement woodland planting and enhancement to the remainder of the site will be detailed.

6.6    Once prepared the application will be submitted to Natural England for determination. The application will be returned within a minimum of 30 working days of receipt. All staff and sub-contractors involved in the proposed clearance works within the working area will be briefed on the aims and procedures outlined below. In the long-term following an EPS licence, enhancement of woodland and establishment of new woodland will be a minor benefit for dormice within the site and within the zone of influence.

Compensation planting and enhancements

6.7    Compensation planting will include shrub planting and allowing some trees to become mature. Species such as pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), beech (Fagus sylvatica), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), hazel (Corylus avellana), field maple (Acer campestre), and elder (Sambucus nigra) as well as the native climber such as honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) should be planted. This mix of species will provide a good food source for dormice throughout the year.

Bright, P. Morris, P and Mitchell-Jones, T. (2006) The Dormouse Conservation Handbook, 2nd Edition. English Nature, Peterborough.

Bullion & Looser (2019). Detecting hazel dormice Muscardinus avellanarius with nest tubes and tracking tunnels. The Mammal Society. Mammal Communications Volume 7. ISSN 2056- 872X (online).

Multi-Agency Geographical Information for the Countryside (MAGIC) Website at http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/MagicMap.aspx, accessed 19.09.23

Peoples Trust for Endangered Species (PTES, 2022) Guidance for surveying for hazel dormouse using footprint tunnels.

Appendix 1: Site location

 

Appendix 2: Site proposals

 

Appendix 3: dormouse tube location plan

 

Appendix 4: Survey results

Date 2023	Tubes/footprint tunnels	Weather conditions	Results
12 May	Dormouse tube check Set up footprint tunnels	Partly cloudy, mild with sunny intervals 16 degrees C 1/12 wind  Cloud cover 4/8	No dormouse or evidence of dormouse found
24 May	Footprint tunnel check and install new paper	Hot and sunny 20 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud cover 0/8	No dormouse or evidence of dormice recorded. Wood mouse footprints in tube ///unravel.forgives.motel
30 June	Dormouse tubes and footprint check/install paper	Humid and overcast 18 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud cover 8/8	Wood mouse footprints in following tubes: ///carriage.revealing.rosier ///inclines.envy.price ///unravel.forgives.motel
17 July	Dormouse footprint check/install paper	Humid and cloudy with some sunny spells 15-17 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud cover 3/8	No dormouse found no other footprints recorded apart from the wood mouse one listed above.
28 July	Dormouse tubes and footprint check/install paper	Overcast but clearing up. 18 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud cover 5/8-3/8	No dormouse found in tubes. Wood mouse footprints recorded in two tubes ///comb.afflicted.longingle ///unravel.forgives.motel
11 August	Dormouse footprint check/install paper	Warm and humid 20 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud cover 4/8	No dormise recorded. Wood mouse footrprints recorded in ///wanted.hunt.croches
25 Agust	Dormouse tubes and footprint check/install paper	Sunny and humid with rain clouds 19-20 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud cover 5/8	Dormouse recorded in tube E23 (///exclusive.classmates.empire) Wood mouse footprints in ///unravel.forgives.motel ///convinced.emperor.axed
8 September	Footprint tunnels change of paper	Hot and humid 25 degrees C 1/12 wind Cloud 0/8	Woodmouse found in tubes: ///unravel.forgives.motel ///wanted.hunt.croches
23 September	Dormouse tubes and footprint check/install paper	Warm and sunny 19 degrees C, 1/12 wind Cloud cover 1/8	Three dormouse nests recorded at: E23 (///exclusive.classmates.empire) W20 - green leaves around a woven grass core ///utensil.schematic.tonic Photos 3 and 4. W23 - woven grass with outer layer of green leaves ///silently.investors.papers Photo 5.
8 October	Dormouse tube and footprint check	Sunny and warm 14- 19 degrees C, 1/12 wind Cloud 1/8	Start of a potential dormouse nest in W19 ///outsmart.cello.hedgehog Wood mouse prints in the following tubes: East 3 and 4 ///convinced.emperor.axed and ///comb.afflicted.longingly and West 4 and 5 ///unravel.forgives.motel and ///wanted.hunt.crouches
10 November	Dormouse tube and footprint check	Sunny with a cool wind 14 degrees C 3/12 wind Cloud 3/8	Dormouse nests recorded in the following nests: E23 ///exclusive.classmate.empire W20 ///utensil.schematic.tonic W23 ///silently.investors.papers W19///outsmart.cello.hedgehog Wood mouse nests: West ///wanted.hunt.crouches ///unravel.forgives.mote l ///surfacing.petal.backed West ///wanted.hunt.crouches ///unravel.forgives.motel ///surfacing.petal.backed Wood mouse footprints in the tunnels

 

 

Appendix 5: photographs

Photo 1: Dormouse nest confirmed on 25 August 2023

 

Photo 2: Side view of dormouse nest confirmed on 25 August 2023

 

Photo 3: Dormouse next recorded on 23 September 2023

 

Photo 4: Dormouse nest recorded on 23 September 2023

 

Photo 5: Dormouse nest confirmed on 23 September 2023

 

Photo 6: Dormouse nest recorded on 23 September 2023

 

Appendix 6: Dormouse results map

 

Interim Ecological Assessment

This forms part of the wider report Interim Ecological Assessment, Dinah's Hollow.