Haslemere is a stronghold for dormice – this endearing animal has been recorded across the Town with Shottermill being the only ward in the Parish not having recent records. They live in dense scrubby places, feasting on a wide variety of fruit, nuts, berries and seeds with hazel and sweet chestnut coppice woods important habitat for this rare tree-dwelling mammal. In addition to routine monitoring programs, Surrey Dormouse Group has recorded dormice at two sites in Haslemere following positive identification of animals caught by cats: one near  Bunch Lane not far from the town center in 2004 and the second from Grayswood in 2020 (photograph attached).

Haslemere Biodiversity Group is putting together a Dormouse Register for Haslemere Town, collecting records from a wide variety of sources from land-managers to surveyors, and we are keen to find out if any Herald readers think they may have dormice living on their doorstep. While it can be distressing when the cat brings in a small mammal or songbird, this can provide an important record to help us understand an animal’s distribution in the wider countryside, where they might be living and help us to focus conservation efforts to support this nocturnal mammal.

Dormice look similar to other small mammals but are characterized by their golden yellow-orange colour fur, a distinctively furry tail and large brown eyes. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share any potential photos, with a date and address of where the dormouse was located, so that we can add it to our Register in line with GDPR requirements.

Haslemere Dormouse Register Needs Your Help! If you have a potential dormouse record please do send in your photo and contact Haslemere Biodiversity Group on info@haslemerebiodiversity.org.uk.

If you are interested in getting involved with Dormice Surveys and Conservation please contact Surrey Dormouse Group on Surrey Dormouse Group – Contact us

If your cat has brought a live dormouse into your house and it appears to be unharmed and healthy, please contact Haslemere Biodiversity Group or Surrey Dormice Group to work out the best location to release the animal. If the animal appears to be injured it is best to contact our nearest wildlife rescue hospital on 01483 860313 at Hydestile Resident Animals, Nutwood Cottage, New Road, Hydestile, Godalming GU8 4DJ.