Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is celebrating the return of one of the UK’s most cherished and threatened woodland mammals, the hazel dormouse, to Swanpond Copse Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. This marks the first confirmed sighting of this iconic species since 2018.

Hazel dormice are a threatened species in the UK, having declined by 70 per cent since 1990 due to habitat loss, woodland fragmentation, and climate change. 

During a recent dormouse survey, Trust ecologists were thrilled to discover a fresh dormouse nest – and inside, two sleepy dormice nestled together, with a third recorded later that day. With no confirmed dormice seen at the reserve for the past six years, this rediscovery is a major conservation milestone.

“I couldn't believe it when I opened up one of the boxes and saw a fresh nest,” said Carmen Perry, Principal Ecologist at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. “I then felt around the nest and found two dormice snuggled up inside. It was such a relief and a moment of real joy.”

Swanpond Copse Nature Reserve is a protected sanctuary site, managed for nature recovery and is not open to the public. Its secluded nature makes it ideal for sensitive wildlife like dormice, and the Trust is committed to maintaining it is as a quiet refuge where vulnerable species can thrive, undisturbed by human activity. 

The discovery follows years of conservation work at the reserve, including rotational coppicing, ride and railside tree management, and targeted thinning to address ash die back. These efforts have increased light levels and understorey growth, encouraging dense hazel regrowth and ground flora, creating the ideal habitat for dormice and other woodland species. 

Dormice are a European Protected Species (EPS) and a vital indicator of healthy woodlands. Their return signals that Swanpond’s already valuable habitat is becoming even richer in wildlife, a clear sign that targeted habitat restoration is working.  

“Dormice are a part of what makes our woodlands magical,” adds Jamie Marsh, Director of Nature Recovery at Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. “As a key indicator species, their presence suggests the habitat is healthy and well-managed, and supporting pollinators, songbirds, and a whole community of life.”

Surveying dormice is a specialist task. As a legally protected species, they can only be handled and monitored by those with a licence. At Swanpond, the Trust checks a network of 25 small wooden nest boxes on a regular basis, which are fixed to trees to mimic natural cavities.

Each box is inspected by hand. If a nest is found, ecologists gently confirm whether any animals are present, temporarily placing dormice into a clear bag to check their weight, sex, and breeding condition before carefully returning them to their nest. Dormice build distinctive nests using woven honeysuckle bark and hazel leaves – unmistakable signs of their presence.

Dormice aren’t just adorable – they play an important ecological role. They need a continuous food supply across the seasons and a complex habitat structure. Managing habitats for dormice helps a host of other species, including invertebrates, birds and other mammals. 

“The return of dormouse to Swanpond is more than a good news story,” adds Jamie. “They’re sensitive to change and rely on diverse, well-managed habitats. Finding them again is proof that targeted conservation works, and a powerful sign that nature is bouncing back.”

Recent habitat expansion also offers hope. The Trust recently acquired adjacent higher ground, which is less prone to winter flooding, and brought it into active management, improving long-term resilience for dormice and other species.

Although the full population status of dormice on the Isle of Wight is unknown, their presence is supported by the island’s network of connected woodlands. Many of which were enhanced through schemes such as the 1990s Forestry Commission Jigsaw Project, designed to improve habitats for species like red squirrels and dormice.

The rediscovery at Swanpond gives conservationists cause for cautious optimism. “Our woodlands feel a little wilder, a little more alive, knowing these special animals are still here,” concludes Carmen.