Dormouse Database (1905-2004)
This database was created to store records generated through the Great Nut Hunt and to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of the distribution of the dormouse across England and Wales. The dormouse does not occur in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
The dataset has been used to support reporting on Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) delivery. As the records were derived largely from contributed observations rather than systematic survey effort, the dataset is subject to bias towards locations visited during Great Nut Hunt activities.
Grid references generally refer to the centroid of the woodland in which dormice were recorded, rather than the precise location of the observation. Many grid references have not yet been validated using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to confirm that they fall within woodland boundaries. This validation process is ongoing and typically results in the use of eight-figure grid references (10 m resolution).
The dataset includes the recorder name, site name, grid reference, and type of sighting (for example, whether the animal was alive or dead, or the location of a nest).
Records originate from a variety of sources and have been collated and maintained by Tony Mitchell-Jones at English Nature. The dataset represents an incomplete directory of sites, some of which are monitored annually as part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme.
Only the most recent record for each site is included in this dataset; historical records are retained within the source database. The source data also include record source information and associated comments.
Records are generally stored using six-figure British National Grid references, with the precision of the original observations unknown. All grid references represent the centre point of the site.
- Identification
- Extent
- Distribution
- Quality
- Keywords
- Spatial Reference System
- Content
- Constraints
- Maintenance
- Metadata
Identification
- Identifier
- NRW_DS24307
- Alternative Title
-
- Dormouse Database - NE - Welsh Extract CCW000380000000C
- Metadata Language
- English
- Lineage
-
The presence of dormice was determined using a variety of survey methods, all of which are recorded within the dataset. These methods provide differing levels of confidence in species identification:
High confidence
Live animal observed
Dead animal recorded
Confirmed dormouse-opened hazelnut
Nest box occupancy
Medium confidence
Unconfirmed dormouse-opened hazelnut
Nest located in vegetation
Low confidence
Reported sighting
Other evidence
Unknown evidence type
Unconfirmed nest
Records were obtained from three principal sources:
Hazel nuts opened by dormice collected by members of the public during two Great Nut Hunts. All opened nuts were verified by Dr P. Morris.
Occasional records submitted by individual observers.
Site data from the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme, which typically included observations of live animals.
Data collection was limited to records collected since 1990. Since that time, record acquisition has been sporadic and largely associated with the Great Nut Hunts and other projects that gathered dormouse records, such as hedgerow surveys.
The majority of records are based on the identification of hazelnuts opened in a characteristic manner by dormice. These may be found throughout the year, although winter is generally the most productive period for surveys. Such evidence typically indicates the presence of dormice within the previous 12 months, depending on local conditions and the rate of shell decomposition.
For this reason, the year of the record is generally more important than the precise date of observation.
- Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
- 2004-06-01
Temporal Extent
- Begin date
- 1905-05-15
- End date
- 2004-06-01
- Topic category
-
- Biota
Extent
Extent
- Geographic Extent
- Wales (WLS)
))
Distribution
- Format Type and Description
-
-
Database
(
Unknown
)
- Specification
-
Microsoft Access database; Welsh extract of the species data held in Recorder 6 (Dormouse Database - NE - Welsh Extract)
-
Database
(
Unknown
)
Quality
Data quality
- Quality Scope
- Dataset
- Conformity
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
- Explanation
-
This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
- Degree
- false
- Lineage
-
The presence of dormice was determined using a variety of survey methods, all of which are recorded within the dataset. These methods provide differing levels of confidence in species identification:
High confidence
Live animal observed
Dead animal recorded
Confirmed dormouse-opened hazelnut
Nest box occupancy
Medium confidence
Unconfirmed dormouse-opened hazelnut
Nest located in vegetation
Low confidence
Reported sighting
Other evidence
Unknown evidence type
Unconfirmed nest
Records were obtained from three principal sources:
Hazel nuts opened by dormice collected by members of the public during two Great Nut Hunts. All opened nuts were verified by Dr P. Morris.
Occasional records submitted by individual observers.
Site data from the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme, which typically included observations of live animals.
Data collection was limited to records collected since 1990. Since that time, record acquisition has been sporadic and largely associated with the Great Nut Hunts and other projects that gathered dormouse records, such as hedgerow surveys.
The majority of records are based on the identification of hazelnuts opened in a characteristic manner by dormice. These may be found throughout the year, although winter is generally the most productive period for surveys. Such evidence typically indicates the presence of dormice within the previous 12 months, depending on local conditions and the rate of shell decomposition.
For this reason, the year of the record is generally more important than the precise date of observation.
Keywords
Keywords
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2008-06-01
Keywords
-
NRW Thesaurus
-
- mammals (see also specific species)(see also animals)
- muscardinus avellanarius
- dormice (dormouse)
- hazel dormouse (common dormouse)
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2026-08-27
Spatial Reference System
Content
Content Information
NRW Profile
Custom Elements
Constraints
Constraints
Limitations on Public Access and Use
- Restriction type
- Other restrictions
Access Constraints Directive
- Limitations
- no limitations
Access Constraints Text
- Other constraints
-
There are no access restrictions to this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
Use Constraints
- Use constraints type
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
-
© CNC/NRW, 2004. Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and NRW's copyright. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose. Attribution statement: Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
Attribution Statement
- Other constraints
-
Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved.
Licence
- Other constraints
- Open Government Licence
Metadata
Metadata
- File Identifier
- 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-3234333037 XML
- Metadata Language
- English
- Resource type
- Dataset
- Metadata Date
- 2026-10-01T15:09:18.004Z
- Metadata Standard Name
- NRW
- Metadata Standard Version
-
1.0