Dormice are quite small creatures, weighing about the same as two £1 coins. They are bright golden in colour, with a thick furry tail and large black eyes.  Dormice are easily distinguished from other mammals, but they are nocturnal so you are very unlikely to come across them on a stroll in the countryside.

Our knowledge of dormouse distribution at a local level in South Wales is still quite poor and we need volunteers and community groups to help out with a bit of detective work. We want people to go out looking for discarded hazelnut shells in their local woodlands and along hedgerows. Like many other small mammals, dormice eat hazelnuts, which they open in their own particular way leaving the shell with very distinctive marks.  With a little bit of practice volunteers can learn to identify which nuts have been opened by dormice.

The South Wales Dormouse Survey is a joint project between 14 local authorities in South Wales, Gwent Wildlife Trust, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales.

Bridgend County Borough Council has produced a Dormouse Survey information pack which provides volunteers with all the information required to take part in the survey.  A second survey pack has also been produced which gives tips on how to organise a nut hunt as part of a school or community group event.  In addition, a number of training events are being held across the area. 

Anyone can join in, all you need to do is download a copy of the South Wales Dormouse Survey Pack.

Why not organise a nut hunt for your school or community group? Just download a copy of the South Wales Dormouse Survey Pack for Groups.

Rather than fill you pockets, you can download and print our handy nut hunt bag in which to store your finds.