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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

If you are concerned about whether to take part in surveys during the COVID-19 outbreak, please check the current government guidelines to help you decide if it is appropriate and safe for you to do so.
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Home // Key species and habitats // Hazel dormice // Protection for hazel dormice // Dormouse training // Dormouse training information for trainees

Dormouse training information for trainees

Hazel dormice are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 as amended) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010. Dormouse survey work involving the disturbance and handling of dormice in nest boxes or nest tubes requires a licence from Natural England or Natural Resources Wales. To receive a licence you will need references of your practical training from two people. These referees need to have held a licence for dormice within the last two years for the methods you wish to have on your licence.

It is highly advisable that you should attend a Dormouse Ecology and Conservation course, run by various organisations around the country- details to follow shortly.

Our resources and advice below will also help you in your training to become a dormouse monitor.

Dormouse training log

The dormouse training log is your record of experience when training towards your dormouse licence. It has been approved by both Natural England and Natural Resources Wales.

Dormouse training log- A5 booklet

Please be aware that some counties and organisations have their own training logs so please check with your mentor the best method of recording your experience.

Survey guidelines

The National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) survey guidelines are reviewed every year; please ensure that you are familiar with the current document.

NDMP guidelines and forms 2016

Training videos

Checking a dormouse nest box

Checking a box with multiple active dormice present

Checking a box with inactive dormice present

Surveying young dormice

Handling and sexing dormice

Weighing and recording dormice

Putting up dormouse nest boxes

Box checking kit guide

Health and Safety

Risk assessments

Training presentations and notes

Checking dormouse nest boxes

A PowerPoint presentation on how to check dormouse nest boxes for the NDMP including sex dormice, weighing dormice and dealing with more than one- COMING SOON

Also available as a PDF version

Ageing and sexing dormice

PowerPoint presentation showing you how to sex dormice and the age class recognition for NDMP data entry.

Also available as a PDF version

The NDMP and the NDD

A PowerPoint presentation showing you how to enter the data on the NDMP forms and how to use the online forms. It also includes other documentation for sites in the NDMP- COMING SOON

Also available as a PDF version

Suggested kit list

One nest box hole bung- make sure you only take one into the wood and bring one out again
Perspex slide to cover nest box when checking to allow to see inside if required
Large strong plastic bags to place nest boxes in – available from The Mammal Society, Polybags or Clingfoil. Some aquariums may give you bags for free.
Small bags to place dormice in
Scales- Pesola scales weighing up to 50g
Notebook/forms
Pen/pencil
Thin wire for some nest box lids
Wire to put up nest boxes- 6 core telephone or alarm cable is good as it has a bit of give making it easy to take boxes up and down
Wire cutters
Scraper to clean nest boxes

Also see our Useful documents and forms page

If you have any constructive comments regarding the information given in this section please email ian.white@ptes.org.