Dormouse Nest Tube - Outer Tube Only

Dormice usually inhabit deciduous woodland or overgrown hedgerows and ideally, nest tubes should be in place by the beginning of April in time to attract dormice when they emerge from hibernation in late April and early May. They may also be occupied throughout the summer. To increase the likelihood of finding dormice it is best to increases with the number of tubes used but a minimum of 20 tubes in one location is recommended, depending on the size of the habitat being surveyed. Tubes should be attached to the underneath of horizontal branches using cable ties or wire to secure, positioned above ground level, approximately 20m apart at a variety of heights. The entrance should be facing the centre of the hedge. Tubes should be checked for nests on a fortnightly basis and once dormice are detected, the tubes can be taken down and replaced with wooden nest boxes or simply left in place to if further survey work is needed.