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Westacre Farm,
Sampford Courtenay
Okehampton, Devon
EX20 2SE

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With the news this morning that the 1000th captive

With the news this morning that the 1000th captive bred dormouse has been released into the wild, we wanted to share our dormouse monitoring activities here at the farm with you.
Our expert volunteers have put up 40 dormouse tubes in the hedgerows on our farm recently and will be checking them routinely throughout the summer and autumn, hopeful that someone will take up residence in them.
Dormice are protected by law because their numbers and distributional range have reduced so dramatically during the last 100 years.
Frequently found in species-rich hedgerows like those at our farm, their habitat includes hedge trees such as hazel, honeysuckle, wayfaring trees, sweet chestnut, blackthorn, hawthorn and bramble. They primarily fatten up on hazelnuts prior to the winter and hibernation but will eat flowers, berries, other nuts and even insects such as caterpillars. The diversity of hedge species ensures an unbroken sequence of food is available and allows them to thrive.

Dormice hibernate on or underground during the winter months and spend the rest of the time off the ground in hedgerows. They prefer to build their nests in hollow tree holes or old bird nests and will use the shredded bark of honeysuckle to create a cosy resting space.

Did you know?
A dormouse new born is the size of a raisin!

Here’s the article about the 1000th release.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57499125

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