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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.

Home // Key species and habitats // Hazel dormice // Surveying and monitoring hazel dormice // Dormouse nut hunt

Dormouse nut hunt

Dormice are one of our rarest small mammals and very hard to find in the wild. Luckily, dormice leave tell-tale signs when they eat hazel nuts – one of their favourite foods. Dormice open these nuts whilst they are still green, on the tree and relatively soft to nibble but the shells turn brown quite quickly after they are discarded and fall to the ground. By searching for these shells it is possible to find out where dormice live in order to protect them in the future.

History of the hunt

When we launched the first Great Nut Hunt, it quickly became the largest voluntary wildlife survey undertaken in Europe. In total, almost 250,000 nuts were found, and 13,000 were to us for verification. Over 1,300 hazelnuts had been eaten by hazel dormice, identifying 334 new sites, an incredible achievement. Hazel dormouse populations were confirmed in 29 counties across England and Wales, with 81 sites in Devon and 41 sites in Dorset.

During the second Great Nut Hunt we encouraged people to revisit the initial sites, to check whether dormice were still there. We discovered over 130 sites with positive signs of hazel dormice, bringing the total number of known dormouse sites to just over 800.

How to hunt for nuts

A nut hunt is really very simple and makes an ideal family expedition. The only extra equipment you will need is a magnifying glass. The best time to carry out the survey is during the autumn and winter when there are no leaves on the trees and the discarded nut shells are easiest to find on the woodland floor.

For details on how to practically undertake a nut hunt, we have produced this information sheet:

Download nut hunt instructions

We have been working to save hazel dormice in the UK for over 30 years. Find out about our campaigns and how you can help.

How you can help