Dormice handlers needed for woods

Taken in hand - dormice spend seven months of the year hibernating

A conservation charity has been given a special challenge - to recruit dormouse handlers.

The WWF is looking to train up to 14 volunteers to help monitor dormice numbers in woods in the Wye Valley.

Rosie Cliffe, who is running the programme, said they may not be fierce but can be quick: "Handling dormice can be a pretty nerve-wracking experience.

"If you're lucky you'll find them in their sleepy phase when they're a doddle to handle."

"But in the summer, when there's plenty to eat, they're far from asleep and can be a real challenge."

Ms Cliffe added "They're very small and can be very active, shooting out of the nest box when you least expect it."

Monitoring will take place between next April and October

Strict protection laws apply to the mammal, which require anyone handling them to be trained under licence.

The volunteers will be trained in time to start monthly checks of 300 nest boxes placed in seven woods in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire from next spring.

It is part of the £1.3m Ravine WoodLIFE project.

"This will help us build up a really good picture of the population," said Ms Cliffe.

"You have to open the boxes very carefully and if there's a dormouse inside, you take the box off the tree and put it all in an enormous bag.

"You can usually tell if there's a nest with babies because it tends to be crammed to the brim with nest material and, instead of trying to shoot out of the box, the female will burrow down to the bottom."

More details are available by emailing [e-mail] or leaving details on 07901 711852.