Last month, NHBS colleague Dan volunteered with the Dartmoor Preservation Association – read below to find out what he got up to.
Page 357 of Dartmoor 365, a unique compendium of Dartmoor by John Hayward, evokes a tranquil scene of early human settlement amidst the wild moorland that is now High House Waste – a place where remnants of a Bronze Age settlement, including a farmstead and field systems, still endure to this day.
A beard lichen covered tree by an old field boundary on High House Waste. Image by Daniel Moonen
Wedged between two streams, High House Waste’s ecological value is as fascinating as its archaeology.
The northern area consists of dry grass and heathland on granite, while the southern slopes feature wet mires on metamorphosed slate. One can find species such as white beak-sedge, bell heather, bilberry, cotton grass, bog asphodel, and sphagnum mosses. The fauna includes meadow pipits, Dartford warblers, common lizards, field voles, weasels, and various flutter-bys.
You may now better understand why an employee of NHBS would eagerly spend a volunteering day with the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) at such a remarkable site.
This would be my second date with the DPA, an organisation I knew would lead me to a special place.
Led by DPA’s chief executive, Tom Usher, the day’s work party embarked on a grafting session to clear gorse from the ancient remains. High House Waste lies a substantial walk from the nearest parking spot along a farm track. Its remoteness aids preservation from visitor pressure and adds to its sense of moorland wilderness.
Though the gorse may offer some resistance with its prickles, it is a joy to work on the moor in the company of beard-lichen-draped trees and with expansive views stretching across the moor.
Dartmoor gorse by Oli Haines
Left unchecked, gorse would quickly take over and obscure the site’s historical treasures. Included in our work party was an ecologist, as DPA regularly engages such experts to monitor the species residing on its grounds. DPA owns four sites on Dartmoor, all purposefully purchased to protect them from threats like industrial development or to impose conditions more respectful of the land’s ecological, historical, and cultural values.
Defending the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Dartmoor has been the DPA’s mission since 1883. Their website details a timeline of actions, testifying to their ongoing work in planning vigilance, access support, surveys, land management, and conservation both on DPA land and beyond.
View on farmstead remains at High House Waste. Image by Daniel Moonen
As the day’s work drew to a close, the quiet moorland around High House Waste stood testament to the delicate balance between nature and history. Through the careful stewardship of organisations like the Dartmoor Preservation Association, these ancient sites continue to breathe life into our understanding of the past while safeguarding the moor’s wild beauty for generations to come.
Some fungal and lepidopteran wildlife around High House Waste. Images by Daniel Moonen.
Volunteering here is more than clearing gorse – it’s participation in guardianship, a chance to connect with the land’s stories and to contribute to a living legacy. In the vastness of Dartmoor’s wilderness, one finds not only remnants of Bronze Age lives but also a call to cherish and protect the natural and cultural treasures that define this remarkable landscape.
Dartmoor
Complete your New Naturalist collection with HarperCollins’ facsimile: Dartmoor—England’s loneliest wilderness, a timeless wildscape of history, mystery, and natural wonder.
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch took place between Friday 23rd and Sunday 25th January 2026. This is an annual event is one of the largest citizen science wildlife surveys in the UK and helps us gain an understanding of how our garden bird populations are changing in abundance and distribution over time.
In last year’s event, over 590,000 people across the UK took part, counting 9.1 million birds! While House Sparrows took the top spot, counts of this species are down by 64% compared to the first Birdwatch in 1979, mirroring a wider and worrying decline in our bird populations: we’ve lost 38 million birds from UK skies in just the last 60 years. With birds facing so many challenges, it’s more important than ever to get involved in the Birdwatch and continue monitoring their fortunes.
Although the Big Garden Birdwatch has finished, there is still time to submit your results on the RSPB website. Even if you didn’t see anything, it still counts!
Greater spotted woodpecker by Oli Haines
Results
Many of our colleagues took part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch from our gardens or local parks, recording the species that visited our patch. With weather warnings across Devon it was a wet and windy weekend, but despite the conditions we were treated to some wonderful sightings and as a group spotted 17 different species.
Some of us were luckier than others:
Laura (Technical Advisor) did the bird count from her local park and saw:
3 Carrion Crow
3 Goldcrest
1 Blackbird
1 Robin
2 Woodpigeon
1 Herring Gull
2 Great Tit
2 Blue Tit
1 Dunnock
Bluetit by Oli Haines
Oli (Graphic Designer) saw:
2 Woodpigeon
1 Wren
1 Dunnock
Woodpigeon by Oli Haines
Ruth (Sewing Specialist) saw:
1 Pheasant
Steve (Head of Product and Purchasing) saw:
2 Robin
3 Goldfinch
8 Chaffinch
2 Blue Tit
7 Greenfinch
2 Woodpigeons
1 Starling
2 House Sparrow
1 Great Tit
Goldfinch (left) and Greenfinch (right) by Steve Powell
And Elle (Marketing Coordinator) recorded:
1 Blue Tit
1 Robin
Robin by Oil Haines
RSPB
For more information on UK garden birds, the Big Garden Birdwatch and how you can help them, please visit www.rspb.org.uk. Here you will find a wealth of information to help you find and identify UK bird species.
Course attendees learning small mammal survey techniques at the Field Studies Council’s Preston Montford activity centre
In the lead-up to this year’s National Mammal Week (21st-27th April), NHBS was kindly invited by the Mammal Society a preview of their new Mammal Identification and Ecology residential training course.
The Mammal Society is an active charity and learned society dedicated to the study and conservation of all British mammals. Founded in 1954, the organisation plays a crucial role in promoting research, education, and advocacy for mammal conservation. The Mammal Society works closely with scientists, policymakers, and the public to gather data, inform policy, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving Britain’s mammals species. The society’s efforts are vital in addressing the challenges faced by mammals, including habitat loss, climate change, and human activities.
Course attendees surveying habitat at the Field Studies Council’s Preston Montford activity centre
A golden ticket
I was fortunate enough to receive the golden ticket to this enriching experience – a preview of a new immersive, hands-on training course focused on British mammals. Heading to Field Studies Council (FSC) Preston Montford activity centre, I was looking forward to engaging with ecologists, conservationists, and enthusiasts, all united by their passion for conserving UK mammal populations. I was also excited to gain insights into the equipment and methods used for monitoring mammals and to enhance my own identification skills.
The training course aimed to introduce participants to the skills needed for mammal identification and help us familiarise ourselves with various monitoring methods. These skills are crucial for accurately tracking population trends, population movements, and the factors influencing changes in conservation status. With one in four mammal species threatened with extinction in Britain, gathering detailed data is more important than ever.
The FSC’s centre, surrounded by fields, woodland, ponds, and the nearby River Wye, provided an ideal backdrop for a mix of fieldwork and classroom-based learning. With the added presence of an evening bar, this was a most appropriate venue where course participants could exchange their thoughts and evaluations.
Diving into mammal identification
The course kicked off on Friday evening with a hands-on session preparing Longworth Small Mammal Traps. We strategically placed 40 traps in an area of mixed habitat (the more traps you put out the better the chances of success). We added hay to each trap and baited them with seeds and blowfly pupae to attract rodents and shrews. The next morning, our efforts were rewarded with the capture of a Wood Mouse and a Common Shrew. It was fascinating to learn about the shrew’s high metabolic rate and the importance of providing food in the traps.
Longworth Small Mammal Traps ready for deployment (left) and a mix of hay, seeds and blowfly larvae (right).A Wood Mouse (left) and a Common Shrew (right) from the Longworth traps.
Additional monitoring methods included audio recording equipment, a Mammal Footprint Tunnel, and an improvised close-focus camera trap. The overnight footage from the camera revealed some curious Rabbits, adding to the excitement of our findings.
Footprint tunnel (left) and a trail camera tunnel (right) left out to survey mammals.
Classroom insights and field adventures
Saturday was packed with classroom sessions in a room that had been kitted out with mammal skins, skulls, nests, owl pellets, droppings and publications. The morning session was devoted to gaining a deeper understanding of small mammals and their ecological roles. The afternoon session focused on herbivores, teaching us how to identify the six species of deer in the UK and recognise signs of Wild Boar presence, such as uprooted turf.
A highlight of the day was the field session, where we searched for signs of mammal activity. From tunnels through grass and soil to footprints, droppings and gnawed hazelnuts, the landscape was teeming with evidence of our furry neighbours. The evening session on carnivores was equally engaging, with discussions on the UK’s mustelids, the elusive Wildcat, and the controversies surrounding mammal persecution and reintroduction.
The evening concluded with a session on bats, followed by a thrilling field trip with bat detectors and thermal imaging monoculars.
Dan dissecting owl pellets to assess the contents.
Sunday morning saw us checking the results from our field monitoring equipment. The most challenging part for me was the classroom session on tracks and signs, where I struggled with a footprint quiz. Dissecting owl pellets was a unique experience, revealing the remains a Field Vole and a Common Shrew in the pellet I looked at.
Owl pellets (left) and exposed Field Vole skull, bones and fur (right).
The final session covered sea mammals, such as dolphins, whales and seals after which a weekend of comprehensive learning was rounded off with a course evaluation.
Post-event musings
The Mammal Society’s training course was an invaluable experience, combining hands-on fieldwork with insightful classroom sessions. I returned with a deeper understanding of the diversity and complexity of the UK’s mammals, as well as the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. Equally, I gained a refreshed appreciation for the profound knowledge and dedication of the members of the Mammal Society. I also learned about some handy wildlife recording apps, such as the Mammal Society’s own Mammal Mapper, and iRecord for all biological recording. Whether you’re a seasoned ecologist or a curious enthusiast, you’re sure to return from this training enlightened and motivated.
The NHBS Moth Trap is a highly portable option for moth trapping, tested and approved by Butterfly Conservation.
Its easy, flat-pack design features a collapsible frame made from lightweight panels covered in a light coloured nylon, which is easily assembled with Velcro. A single, stainless steel V frame holds the trap’s bulb carrier, secured with a single screw, and supports two top panels that prevent the moths escaping. The trap features a single 20W, shatter-resistant blacklight bulb (included) that is mains powered and is supplied with a 4.5m power lead connecting to a standard UK plug.
Fully assembled, the NHBS moth trap measures approximately 30cm wide x 30cm deep x 50cm tall and weighs around 2kg, making it significantly lighter and much more portable than many moth traps. For convenient transport and storage, it also comes with a carry bag housing all the components.
Learn how to quickly set up your Moth Trap with our video guide below!
Our Findings
NHBS colleagues Oli and Dan recently took our moth trap into their gardens and caught a beautiful range of species, including a Buff Tip, Peach Blossom and Scorched Carpet.
Additional Kits
Our moth trap is also available in two kits:
Moth Trap Starter Kit
The Starter Kit includes the trap and all its components, as well as three 60ml collecting pots, perfect for holding specimens, and a copy of the Concise Guide to the Moths of Great Britain and Ireland to aid successful species identification.
Moth Trap with Inverter Kit
The NHBS Moth Trap with Inverter Kit comes with an inverter and waterproof battery enclosure, giving you the flexibility to use the trap in any location without having to rely on mains electricity.
Find out more and order your trap today at nhbs.com
If you have any questions about our Moth Trap or would like some advice on the right product for you then please contact us via email at customer.services@nhbs.com or phone on 01803 865913.
Placed on the IUCN Red List in 2021, Swifts are now recognised as one of Britain’s most endangered bird species, having suffered a staggering population decline of around 60% in just 25 years. These incredible birds return to the same nesting site each year after migrating from a summer in Africa, however due to urban development and land use changes, their natural nesting sites are rapidly disappearing, which is accelerating their already concerning population decline.
Suzanne and RSPB Community Engagement Officer Roshni Parmar-Hill on installation day.
In 2024, over 40 residents of two neighbouring streets in Swinton, Salford decided to take action and create their own ‘Swift Street.’ This community-led project saw the creation and installation of over 100 specialist nest boxes, providing essential nesting spaces for their local swift colony. The Swift Street initiative is part of a wider effort to transform Manchester into a Swift City and ensure the long-term survival of these endangered birds.
In this blog, resident Suzanne Pendleton and RSPB Community Engagement Officer Roshni Parmar-Hill tell us about their journey to create the largest Swift Street in the north-west of England.
My Swift Street Experience – Suzanne Pendleton
My name is Suzanne Pendleton, and I am a mum to two girls, Molly and Tess. I have lived in Houghton Lane in Swinton, Salford with them and my hubby for 30 years, and have been involved in the Greater Manchester Swift Street initiative since August 2024.
During lockdown, I started to value spending more and more time in our little garden as so many people did, and whilst I was outside, I spotted a number of birds zooming around, screaming and flying over our house. At first I wasn’t quite sure what they were, so I asked my friend Kathleen and she enlightened me that they were Swifts! Swifts are migratory birds, so when summer ended they left Swinton and headed back to Africa, but every year I eagerly anticipate their return.
Over time, my understanding of this species grew, and I learnt of their declining population numbers – whilst also developing a stiff neck constantly looking up to the sky to watch their incredible manoeuvres! I am privileged to live in a friendly community on Houghton Lane, so I messaged our community group and asked if anyone knew about our Swift population, or where they may be nesting. Initially we were unsuccessful in locating their nesting sites, however we struck gold in Spring 2024 with the help of the Swift Mapper appand discovered we had four nest sites on Houghton Lane and its surrounding roads.
In this time, I’d also discovered that there was another small colony located less that 1/4 mile away, and a resident of this local road got in touch to tell us that Roshni from the RSPB had been to visit their colony and help establish their Swift Street – she then asked if we would be interested in developing our own Swift Street on Houghton Lane. I think we are so privileged that these incredible urban birds choose to nest on our lane, and as their nesting sites are often threatened by redevelopment, having the means to install boxes provides us with a wonderful opportunity to support them.
Residents Suzanne Pendleton and Kathleen Sides holding up the Swift boxes made by The Skills Company, Trafford.
This project has been a whole-community effort, superbly guided by the wonderful Roshni. With her incredible support and guidance, we used our community group to share the news of the development and launch of our own Swift Street, and we were overwhelmed by the local response. So many families were keen to support our Swift population, and we received requests for over 80 boxes. In January, we were blessed with some bright days, which allowed us to visit each home that had requested a Swift box and advise the families in selecting a suitable aspect and position for their box. As we chatted to more residents about the project I grew in confidence talking about Swifts, and increased my own knowledge too.
Roshni also gathered support from a local college who built our Swift boxes, whilst a local resident, Haldis, made our nest cups. Roshni and several Swift Ambassadors (volunteers who work alongside communities to raise awareness of Swifts and encourage positive action to protect them) then visited our Girl Guiding group to lead some Swift-themed activities which captivated the girls’ interest. They loved learning about the species and contributing to the project by painting our boxes with bird-friendly materials recommended by the RSPB. Saturday 8th March was our first installation day, and local roofer Ryan put up 25 boxes. Since then, we have now installed over 80 along the street, and we are ready for the first wave of our Swift populations to return!
Ryan Cawdron installing boxes on Houghton Lane.
It’s been an absolute honour to be involved in this project, and I feel so lucky that our community can do something practical to support our local Swifts.
RSPB Community Engagement Officer – Roshni Parmar-Hill
I’ve been so privileged to work alongside individuals as passionate and energetic as Suzanne whilst bringing the Swinton Swift Street project to life. This truly is a community endeavour – proving that, to misquote a famous phrase ‘it takes a village to save a Swift’. From Suzanne’s tireless recruitment of her neighbours’ support along her street, and the hard work of her Girl Guide pack painting and waterproofing the nest boxes, to the students of independent skills provider The SkillCentre in Trafford who constructed the boxes, it’s been a joy to see so many people pull together to take positive action for nature.
Swift boxes being carefully stored at Haldis Corry’s house (a Swift Champion who lives nearby)
The screaming calls of migratory Swifts are what first drew Suzanne to this species and fostered her connection. If we want to keep welcoming them back screeching overhead every summer, then they need our help now more than ever to create and protect safe nesting habitats. This incredible species travels a whopping 3400 miles to reach the UK from East Africa every year – crossing 25 countries over the course of 4 weeks in their journey to reach us. Swifts spend most of their time in the air – feeding, sleeping and even mating all whilst in flight! – only landing to nest, which is where Suzanne and her neighbours come in.
Swifts return to the exact same nesting spot every year, but increasingly these nesting sites have been hit by property renovations and the removal of old buildings. This has contributed to a 62% decline in Swift numbers between 1995 and 2020, and the species have now been added to the UK’s Red List of Birds, meaning its amongst our most endangered. However, with the installation of over 80 nest boxes on Suzanne’s street, we intend to grow another new urban Swift colony and build on wider ongoing work to develop Manchester into a Swift City. This project is supported by the expansion of our network of brilliant ‘Swift Champions’ who are leading the development of nesting sites at scale, manufacturing swift boxes and raising people’s awareness and engagement of the project and species through walks, talks and workshops.
Roshni and Seamus making Swift Egg cups on a cold January day.
As Suzanne and her neighbours now prepare for a special Swift Homecoming Street Party to officially declare it a Swift Street and welcome their bird’s home, all eyes will be fixed on the skies for a glimpse of the street’s feathered residents moving into their new addresses…
In early November, NHBS colleague Dan volunteered with Chagford Conservation Group and the Chagford Parish Council to regenerate public grounds for wildlife – find out about his volunteer work below.
When strolling through your local public green space, take a moment to consider its value—not just as a recreational space but as a haven for wildlife. Behind the trees, shrubs, and ponds lies a delicate balance that requires care. Who ensures these spaces thrive for the benefit of both people and nature?
As you dig into the depths of your mind for answers and speak to fellow locals, you’ll discover that your local wandering patch has a past, present and even the future.
My front door patch, Padley Common, in Chagford – Dartmoor, has a variety of most of the above. Deciduous woodland, grassy fields aligned with stone walls and tree banks, areas with bracken and gorse, an area thick with young trees, streams and even some boggy areas.
One cloudy but warm November morning I joined the Chagford Conservation Group to help clear an area that was taken over by young willow and silver birch growth. Reading this with conservation specs may cause a frown. Cutting trees for conservation? The purpose of this venture, commissioned by Chagford Parish Council, was to restore the grounds to more favourable conditions for butterflies. Under the direction of Devon Wildlife Trust personnel, we cleared young willow and silver birch growth from the common. These trees, if left unchecked, would outcompete light-loving wildflowers and raise water uptake, drying out the damp grasslands needed by marsh fritillaries. This species depends on devil’s-bit scabious for its larvae. Its population in England has declined by 66% since 1990. Maintaining open, flower-rich meadows not only benefits butterflies but supports a host of other pollinators and insects.
Under the direction of Devon Wildlife Trust personnel, the Chagford Conservation Group and the Chagford Parish Council volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cleared a section of the common.
The cleared trees didn’t go to waste. They were repurposed into leaky dams that were fitted into streams that run through the common. These benefit the landscape in surprising ways as they allow water to pass through but slow its flow, reducing erosion and flood risk downstream. By creating side pools and wet areas, leaky dams also provide habitat for amphibians and aquatic insects.
With three organisations involved and so much goodwill from the local community, the day’s work saw the clearing completed and a series of leaky dams constructed. It was striking to see how effectively conservation targets can be achieved when vision, organisation, and community support come together.
Next time you wander through your local patch, take a moment to imagine its potential for wildlife. What small changes could make a big difference? Remember, with the right plan and a collective effort, even a single day’s work can transform a space—creating benefits for nature and leaving a legacy for future generations to discover as they explore their local patch’s story.
February 2025 update:
Last weekend I joined a local volunteering group for some more work on the same site – clearing brambles and gorse to enable new growth. On checking the leaky dams, I was delighted to see that pools created by these were now full of frog spawn!
June 2025 update:
Butterfly Conservation have now completed a survey of Padley Common and found 3 times as many marsh fritillaries as last year. All the efforts in clearing and pulling up of tree saplings have made it much more attractive for butterflies. The weather may have had a positive effect too, but Butterfly Conservation assume the work done has made an impact.
Recommended reading:
Butterfly Conservation – The Warwickshire Approach This book documents, celebrates and shares the many successes the Warwickshire Branch of Butterfly Conservation has had in conserving rare butterflies over the past 25 years. It is a manual of techniques, tips and ideas that will help and hopefully inspire others to create and manage habitats and to conserve butterflies.
The Volunteers: A Memoir of Conservation, Companionship and Community
When Carol finds herself single and unemployed, she unexpectedly takes on the role of leading a quirky team of countryside conservation volunteers. Although their first days are rocky, she and her diverse group of volunteers bond over nature, finding friendship, purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging. The Volunteers is a heart-warming story about healing, community, and the redemptive power of the outdoors.
Since its launch in 1989, British Wildlife has established its position as the leading natural history magazine in the UK, providing essential reading for both enthusiast and professional naturalists and wildlife conservationists alike.
Conservation Land Management (CLM) is a quarterly magazine, widely regarded as essential reading for all who are involved in land management for nature conservation, across the British Isles. Each aspect of CLM is designed for those involved in managing land to achieve conservation goals and priorities.
The third edition of the Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook is based on the most recent research and practical experience available on the ecology of Hazel Dormice. It provides information on best practices for conservation, whilst a separate publication, the Hazel Dormouse Mitigation Handbook, offers further information for those involved in development projects across the UK that may affect Hazel Dormouse populations.
We recently had the opportunity to speak to authors Simone Bullion, Rob Wolton and Ian White about the most recent volume, including the latest updates, how they became interested in Dormouse conservation and more.
Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in Dormouse conservation?
Simone Bullion:
It was 25 years ago, when I had newly started a job with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, that two events acted as a catalyst for my great interest in dormice. Firstly, I was approached by my friend, Pat Morris, to support the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme by helping to increase the number of people with dormouse licences. At the same time, there was a release of captive-bred dormice into a Suffolk woodland close to where I was living, giving me the opportunity to study them first hand. A series of funded projects followed, which helped increase our knowledge of their distribution across the county – this then initiated conservation action to restore vital linkages by planting kilometres of hedgerows. However, through time, the more I found out about dormice, the more it seemed they hadn’t read the book. Habitats that I felt quite certain would support dormice often resulted in several attempts to confirm their presence. Clearly, there were better places to nest than in the boxes and tubes I was offering them, so that led to my interest in footprint tunnels as an alternative detection method. There is still much to learn about dormice, but working with such an interesting and charismatic species has been a privilege.
Rob Wolton:
My fascination with dormice, and indeed with hedges themselves, really started when I noticed strange round nests in the hedges on our farm in Devon. As a keen birdwatcher, I could not place them. Until, one day about 30 years ago, a dormouse popped out! My first. That was the prompt that made me start to look seriously at hedges and at their wildlife, a passion that remains with me to this day. Each autumn I must admit to becoming more than a little fixated with trying to spot dormouse nests in our hedges as I walk around the farm, checking the stock or walking the dog. For several years my wife Paula took care of one, a three-legged female, no longer fit for captive breeding at Paignton Zoo. Dora, as we named her, was a huge draw, a natural lead in to talk about the farm’s wildlife and how we were encouraging it. There are few such endearing and engaging mammals.
Ian White:
I had always had an interest in conservation, but after university I worked in the retail sector. I then embarked on a new career path in my 40’s, thinking that I would become a wildlife ranger. During a training course I was asked to put together a presentation on a British mammal – I chose shrews, and so started an interest in small mammals. I was fascinated by the fact that many were considered common, but based on what? It appeared that very little was known about this group compared with larger mammals. My initial interest in dormice was somewhat biased in that, due to their conservation status, they were the only small mammal that anybody was likely to pay me for. Now after over twenty years working with dormice, I think that they are a fabulous ambassador for many other species, and they still fascinate me now as much as they did when I first saw one.
The Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook marks the third edition of this vital text; what can we expect from this updated volume?
Much research has been undertaken on various aspects of dormouse ecology since the release of the second Dormouse Conservation Handbook in 2006. As a result of several PhD theses and other studies, much more is known about their habitat requirements, hibernation ecology, population biology and genetics. New survey techniques are also included to aid with detection of this sometimes very elusive species.
Unlike previous editions which integrated conservation, mitigation and the effects of development within one title, the third edition presents this information into two distinct handbooks. Why was it necessary to separate this information into two guides?
Landowners, land managers and the voluntary sector continue to have a significant interest in dormouse ecology and habitat management. Separately, there is a professional interest in this protected species in the context of land use planning. Specialist knowledge has also increased, in terms of understanding best practice approaches to minimise the impacts on dormice from development. Consequently, it was decided to separate these areas of interest into two books. It is envisaged that the Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook will be useful to anyone with an interest in dormice, as it covers their ecology, survey techniques and habitat management. The Hazel Dormouse Mitigation Handbook will be essential as an additional and complementary reference to support the work of professional ecologists and others involved in planning.
Hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) by Frank Vassen, via flickr.
Since the 1996 publication of the first Dormouse Conservation Handbook, how have Dormouse populations and their conservation status changed?
Sadly, Hazel Dormice have continued to decline. The ‘State of Britain’s Dormice 2023’ reported a 70% decline of dormice in monitored populations since 2000. If the observed annual rate of decline of 5.7% were to continue unabated, then dormouse counts would be expected to have fallen by more than 90% by 2034. It is also believed that there has been a loss of the species from 20 English counties over the past 100 years. Consequently, they are currently considered a vulnerable species and in danger of further localised extinction in Britain.
Which factors pose the greatest threats to dormice in the present day, and what conservation strategies are being employed in an attempt to mitigate their effects?
Whilst dormice are can live in a wide range of woody habitats, they thrive in the mid-stages of successional regrowth of woodland after coppicing, in networks of sensitively managed hedges and in scrub. However, woodland management has declined during the last 100 years; only half of our hedgerows are in favourable condition and scrub is much maligned. Dormice are also particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. To be effective, dormouse conservation therefore requires landscape-scale thinking to deliver the necessary increases and improvements in their habitat, and to restore connectivity. This will also help remaining dormouse populations become more resilient to localised changes, as well as the negative impacts of unfavourable weather and climate change.
However, there are parts of their former range where natural recolonisation of dormice is extremely unlikely. The dormouse reintroduction programme, administered by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species, focuses on consolidating the current range of dormice, working to restore dormice at landscape level to create robust metapopulations.
Muscardinus avellanarius by xulescu_g, via flickr.
Dormouse research relies heavily on the work of volunteer dormouse monitors, demonstrating the essential role of volunteers in conservation. What does this volunteer role entail, how does it support conservation, and how can the public get involved?
The National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) has been running for over 25 years and is a powerful tool in monitoring population trends. As it relies on volunteers, it also provides an opportunity for people to interact with wildlife and see a dormouse close up – something that rarely happens in the wild. As dormice are a highly protected species, checking boxes for their presence must be undertaken by a trained licence holder. This training can take several years to complete, and numbers of trainees are often limited by the sites available, so sometimes there can be a waiting list to start. However, non-licence holders can also assist with putting up boxes, helping record the data and undertaking winter repairs to the boxes when they are unoccupied.
Other ways people can also get involved is to volunteer with one of your local conservation charities to help manage habitats to benefit dormice.
What do you hope the reader can learn from the Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook?
Dormice act as umbrella species for our native wildlife. Their habitats are home to a broad range of other species and retention of their populations is a strong indicator of habitat integrity at a landscape scale. Put simply, if we get it right for dormice, we get it right for many other species as well. We therefore hope that this handbook will help to aid the recovery of this important species.
Hazel Dormouse Conservation Handbook is available from our bookstore here.
Over the last 6 months, NHBS has had the opportunity to work alongside Devon’s Living Churchyard Project by donating a number of bat and bird boxes to be installed in a range of churches across Devon to support local wildlife. This initiative aims to manage churchyards while also encouraging wildlife, biodiversity and promoting sustainable management practices.
We recently spoke with David Curry, former Voluntary Environmental Advisor at the Living Churchyard Project, about his role, the importance of preserving these habitats and more.
Firstly, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you first became interested in biodiversity, particularly within churchyards?
I began my career working as Keeper of Natural History at Plymouth Museum and Art Gallery, and later St. Albans museums in Hertfordshire. I am now retired, having worked mainly in local government for 50 years, where I first worked in heritage departments and planning.
My main role in planning was as an enabler – working with community groups in developing and managing wildlife sites – these ranged from changing derelict chalk stream cress beds into chalk wetlands, to planning and establishing community orchards ranging in size from 1ha to 72ha.
I’m an old-fashioned naturalist, today it’s called biodiversity.
In 1986 the Living Churchyard Project was set up by the Arthur Rank Centre to encourage the use of churchyards as a community environmental resource and to raise environmental awareness. I took an active interest in the project and began to visit and record churchyards in my area. I then lead the Devon Living Churchyards Project in a voluntary capacity for the Church of England’s Diocese of Exeter, while working in partnership with the national charity Caring for God’s Acre project.
18 leaves etc. Danson Park by Brian Toward, via flickr.
What does the role of a voluntary Environmental Advisor entail?
September 2023 saw the publication of the 4th State of Nature (SON) Report.
The report provides the most comprehensive overview ever of species trends across the UK, laying bare the stark fact that nature is still seriously declining across a country that is already one of the most nature-depleted in the world.
The data shows that since 1970, UK species have declined by about 19% on average, and nearly 1 in 6 species (16.1%) are now threatened with extinction. This is a timely reminder, if we needed it, that the nature crisis isn’t restricted to far-off places like the Amazon or Great Barrier Reef – it is right here, on our doorstep. We are losing familiar wildlife that we cherish including the Hazel Dormouse and Skylark.
SON goes beyond the bare statistics to assess the evidence behind these differences, it also identifies the actions that are needed to recover nature. To quote the report; “We have never had a better understanding of the State of Nature and what is needed to fix it.”
Exeter Diocese
The Diocese of Exeter is part of the Church of England and covers the whole of Devon. There are over 600 churches in the diocese, many of them rural, and there are over 2,000ha of glebelands (areas of land owned by the Church of England) which are used as a source of income through rents etc.
Opportunities
So, what are the issues that that needed to be addressed? And what are the opportunities to address them?
Evidence from the State of Nature report, and elsewhere, points to four big on-the-ground changes that we can take to accelerate nature recovery:
Improve the quality of our protected sites on land and at sea. These places have been chosen because they are special for nature, and wildlife should be thriving within them, yet too many are currently in poor condition.
Create more, bigger and messier places for wildlife. Our wildlife needs more space, and we know that many species can benefit from habitats that are quick to create such as ponds, scrubby habitats and un-trimmed hedgerows.
Reducing pollution on land (notably pesticides and excess fertilisers) and reducing the pressure on marine environments. This means more wildlife-friendly farming, forestry and fisheries.
Targeted species recovery action. This can be very effective when applied to a high proportion of a species’ population, and is also key to bringing back lost species.
Churchyards and their unique habitats provide a recipe for recovery in that they can be used to create more, bigger and messier places for wildlife. But also, the local communities must have the chance to be part of these changes. Establishing a Nature Recovery Network of ‘honeypot’ churches has been key. A pilot scheme working with the South Devon National Landscapes Life on the Edge project and Buglife has surveyed churches along the South Devon B Line from Wembury near Plymouth to Brixham (2023/2024). From the data collected, we will be able to provide churchyard management action plans to improve the biodiversity of each site, creating ‘honeypot’ churches.
In Conclusion
The picture of ongoing nature loss painted by the SON report is stark. This isn’t just sad – nature loss undermines our economy, food systems and health and wellbeing. So, we owe it to nature, and ourselves, to make sure that it is the last State of Nature report to chart continuing decline. Churchyards, in particular the Living Churchyards project, can make a positive contribution towards nature recovery in Devon and ensure that the next SON report can document the start of nature bouncing back.
“Nature’s recovery in Devon is not something we can achieve alone. It needs the support of individuals, communities, businesses and schools.” Devon Wildlife Trust
Monterey Cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) by Peter O’Connor, via flickr.
Why do you think creating new habitats, and restoring old ones, is important for these spaces, and which species are you hoping to attract to the area with the installation of our habitat boxes?
Encouraging a diversity of species on a site is important. Installing the NHBS habitat boxes will provide both shelter and protection to various species such as bats, swifts, and bees.
Why do you think these vital areas of biodiversity are so often overlooked, and how do you think we can work to improve their future preservation?
Mention churchyards to anyone and they will usually shrug their shoulders.
A churchyard is many things to many people;
A pleasant, reflective place for the congregation and visitors
An environment in keeping with the function of burial and the scattering of cremated remains
A respected and cared for part of our environment
No one mentions its potential as a sanctuary for wildlife. That’s the problem. People will walk past a church cemetery without giving a thought to looking inside, after all it’s a cemetery containing graves and memorials for the dead.
Raising awareness about the wildlife in the churchyard or the peace and tranquillity takes priority. We need to make the entrance more welcoming with appropriate signage.
‘People protect what they love’ – Jacque Yves Cousteau. This quote encapsulates the basic human instinct that drives us to safeguard and preserve the things that hold a special place in our hearts. Whether it be our loved ones, our communities or nature. At its core, this quote highlights the importance of connectiveness. Our modern culture has disconnected us from nature, and as ambassadors for nature we need to reconnect people, encourage people to understand and love nature and to be motivated to protect it.
Nature can also trigger positive emotions, reduce stress, increase prosocial behaviour, and improve health and wellness.
Hart’s-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) by Peter O’Connor, via flickr.
What are the most interesting species that you’ve found in some of the churchyards you’ve visit?
Gosh, how long is a piece of string? Because churchyards have been oases in space and time, largely immune from activities beyond their walls, they have become sanctuaries for a wide range of species. Churchyards provide a mosaic of habitats, from meadowland to woodland edge, dense hedges, short and long grass cover and a variety of ‘cliff’ and rock habitats in the form of the church wall and gravestones. They can harbour a startling number (often many hundreds) of species and no doubt conceal rare and interesting creatures and plants. The range of rock types on headstones are of special value to lichens and other lowly plants, some of which may be very rare.
Old cob boundary walls maybe especially interesting, offering hole nesting species including many species of solitary bees with places to lay eggs. These in turn attract the inevitable parasites, some of which are often over-looked but impressively sci-fi in appearance. Part of the peregrine falcon ‘come back’ after they dwindled to near extinction was fuelled by the nest site opportunities of church buildings – they are now a regular site perched on bell towers. Likewise, the shocking decline of swifts is now being reversed thanks to the installation of nest boxes in bell towers.
Love Your Burial Ground Week, celebrated every June, is an important opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of churchyards and celebrate their natural diversity. How can the local community get involved?
Saturday 7th June to Sunday the 15th June 2025.
Love Your Burial Ground Week is a celebratory week which has been running for many years. Caring for God’s Acre has been encouraging all who help to look after churchyards, chapel yards and cemeteries to celebrate these fantastic places in the lovely month of June – in any way you choose.
We’ve seen history talks, picnics, bat walks, storytelling, volunteering work parties and even abseiling teddy bears!
Churches Count on Nature 2025 runs at the same time as Love Your Burial Ground Week, and focuses on the brilliant wildlife to be found in churchyards and chapel yards. It is a joint initiative promoted by Caring for God’s Acre, the Church of England, the Church in Wales and A Rocha UK.
In the months leading up to June we shall be working with Caring for God’s Acre to encourage church communities throughout Devon to take part in this exciting event. There is a wealth of information on how you can open your churchyard to visitors provided by Caring for Gods Acre.
Last month, NHBS colleague Dan volunteered with the Dartmoor Preservation Association – read below to find out what he got up to.
Walking across Dartmoor, you feel centuries of history embedded in its rugged landscape. The open moorlands, rolling hills, and ancient stone circles are more than just features – they’re fragments of a rich past. Volunteering with the Dartmoor Preservation Association (DPA) reminded me how essential the work is to protect the unique heritage of places such as these.
Founded in 1883, the Dartmoor Preservation Association is one of Britain’s oldest conservation organisations and is focused on safeguarding Dartmoor’s landscapes, wildlife, and cultural heritage. The DPA works tirelessly to protect the moors ecological balance and preserve the archaeological sites that reveal Dartmoor’s deep connection to human history. The organisation advocates for responsible land use, defends against damaging developments, and promotes awareness of Dartmoors irreplaceable natural and historical value.
Among Dartmoors treasures, situated by Huccaby Tor near Dartmeet, stands a quiet reminder of the Bronze Age (c.2000-700 BC) – Huccaby Rings. A monument scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979, it is one of many ancient sites on Dartmoor that were built to hold livestock, protect crops and / or to accommodate farmers and herdsmen.
It wasn’t too surprising that when I joined the DPA to help clear the ring of Gorse, I was joined by several archaeology enthusiasts, each keen to help preserve this window into Dartmoor’s ancient past and ensure that Dartmoor’s story lives on for future generations.
Conservation volunteering goes beyond hands-on work; it’s a commitment to protecting the legacy of places like Dartmoor. Each task – preserving historical heritage, supporting wildlife habitat, managing access – is a step towards safeguarding unique beauty, preserving cultural history and supporting wildlife.
I’m certain that you, the reader, also have a special place near you – whether urban or rural – that deserves this kind of dedicated care.
Dartmoor 365
A true gem of a book, it has a story about every square mile of Dartmoor, filled with captivating folklore, historical insights, archaeology, and nature facts. An intimate exploration of a unique part of the world.
The Volunteers: A Memoir of Conservation, Companionship and Community
When Carol finds herself single and unemployed, she unexpectedly takes on the role of leading a quirky team of countryside conservation volunteers. Although their first days are rocky, she and her diverse group of volunteers bond over nature, finding friendship, purpose, and a renewed sense of belonging. The Volunteers is a heart-warming story about healing, community, and the redemptive power of the outdoors.
Butterfly Conservation’s Moth Recorders Meeting provides an essential update for ecologists, wildlife watchers, and naturalists interested in the latest developments in moth recording, research, and conservation. Introduced by director of business and research, Russel Hobson, this year’s meeting was held online via Zoom on Saturday 25th January, and comprised of a variety of talks by keynote speakers including Dr Zoë Randle, David Hill and Dr Avalon Owens.
Dr Zoë Randle, Butterfly Conservation: National Moth Recording Scheme Update
The first speaker, Butterfly Conservation’s Dr Zoë Randle, shared an update on the National Moth Recording Scheme and key trends. Over 600,000 observations were submitted on iRecord throughout2024, bringing the total macro moth records to 36.2 million and micro moth records to 7.4 million in the National Moth Recording Scheme. Despite an increase in moth recording last year, Zoë emphasised the importance of both recorders and verifiers, while also stressing the need for more volunteers to streamline the verification process.
Number of Records in the National Moth Recording Scheme per km square. Credit: Dr Zoë Randle
Dr Norman Lowe, County Moth Recorder, Breconshire: Charismatic Clearwings in mid-Wales.
Dr Norman Lowe, County Moth Recorder for Breconshire, discussed clearwings in mid-Wales, presenting the group as flagships for dayflying moths and provided an update on clearwing records during 2024. Last year, 31 more recorders and ten more pheromone traps/lures were supplied to aid in recording, resulting in a total of 80 clearwing observations for 2024. Data revealed some local and scarce species, including the Welsh Clearwing and Red-tipped Clearwings, and highlighted species which are common and widespread, like Lunar Hornet Moths.
David Hill, Conservation Manager (Scotland), Butterfly Conservation: Black, White, Red & Gold – surveying Argyll’s rare moths
Next to speak was David Hill, who reported on two key species that he has been working with in Scotland: White Spotted Sable Moths and Transparent Burnet. He discussed the background and biology of the species, as well as the efforts undertaken to better understand their pressures and distribution.
2024 larval surveys uncovered 30 White Spotted Sable caterpillars over three days and allowed surveyors to categorise habitat. This coming year, the team will look to rear caterpillars to confirm identification, start adult surveys and seek out sites where Anania terrealis, a commonly mistaken species, is present.
Transparent Burnets are a focus for Scottish conservation projects as part of the Species on the Edge programme. This rarely recorded species is one of concern due to loss of suitable habitat and work will continue throughout 2025 to establish the distribution and abundance of this moth across Argyll.
Transparent Burnet. Credit: David Hill
Dr Luke Evans, Butterfly Conservation: Can we measure the impact of insect change on bird and bat populations?
Dr Luke Evans discussed the DRUID project, which has operated since 2021 and aims to investigate the drivers and repercussions of UK insect decline. Evans discussed the impact of this catastrophic decline on species whose diets are adapted to insects, true correlation vs random correlation (the observation data conundrum) and the suggestive patterns of decline in birds as a result of this. The use of key data, including that in the National Moth Recording Scheme, demonstrates the importance of national monitoring data for evaluating insect abundance and the direct impacts of insect change.
Dr Sam Fabian, Imperial College London: Understanding why artificial lights trap flying insects using high-speed videography
The next presentation was delivered by Dr Sam Fabian, who explored the aggregation of insects around bright light sources, how artificial light can impact insect flight and the behavioural mechanisms behind it. Fabian suggests that circling behaviour around bright light sources is due to dorsal light response – a stabilising reflex where insects angle their body to orientate bright lights above them – which causes erratic flight paths around artificial light sources.
Circling behaviours around artificial light sources. Credit: Dr Sam Fabian
Dr Avalon Owens, Rowland Institute, Harvard University: Do sustainable lighting practices sustain moths?
Last to speak was Dr Avalon Owens, who concluded the session with an insightful discussion on the impacts of light pollution on moths. This growing threat is one of many that impacts global insect abundance and diversity, and can have a range of negative impacts on insect behaviour, including: fatal attraction, temporal and spatial disorientation and visual confusion. These can have catastrophic effects on insects internal body clock, navigation ability and recognition of resources. With light pollution levels growing and expanding exponentially, Dr Owens also outlined key routes to tackle the issue by creating sustainable lighting that is useful, targeted, controlled, low level and warm coloured.
Five lighting principles for responsible outdoor lighting and impacts of artificial light on insects. Credit: Dr Avalon Owens
This year’s Moth Recorders Meeting was a fascinating insight into the National Moth Recording Scheme, key trends and developments in moth ecology and conservation, and the threats to these undervalued insects. Find out more about Butterfly Conservation, their valuable work and ways to get involved on their website.
