How cute is this?!

[smallblueplanet]

While checking my bird boxes in February, I came across a hibernating dormouse! The box had been used the previous year by a wren ( it was intended for blue tits ) and contained the old wren nest. The dormouse had not attempted to make its own nest - just curled up asleep in the old wren nest.

It’s very unusual for a dormouse to be found hibernating in a box as they hibernate at ground level and it had made no attempt to make its own nest. The other strange part is that it was on part of the farm I would think would be most unsuitable for dormice, although I know that they are on the farm in thick hedges and scrub. This individual obviously has not read the textbook. The box was right on the river bank with a few very large willows and an under story of Himalayan balsam and nettles which floods frequently in the winter. It’s very poor habitat for dormouse.

The dormouse was a juvenile from last year and I can only assume that it was flooded out of its hibernation site and opted for the dryer safer option of the nest box. Further visits revealed it still fast asleep during March and April but this week when checking the box it has finally decided to wake up. Checking dormouse boxes and handling requires a license, which I have as part of my work monitoring dormice on my reserves.

- from Axe Estuary Birds newsletter No.84.

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[Finedon.Dandy]

arrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[peanut]

I want one!!!!

[pipscariad]

Oh I'm envious, it's absolutely gorgeous! I've always wanted to see a dormouse, but no luck yet....

[SueA]

Awww.. little sleepyhead, he's lovely!

[HeyWayne]

...as a button!

[Alice]

Just gorgeous SBP. Thanks for the pic. I've only ever seen 1.

[piskieinboots]

awwww da lil cutems baaabykins awwww

[Claire72]

What a sweetie

[yoanbob]

I usually only see dead ones left on the doorstep of my mothers house. very sweet!

[marialittlebzz]

oh my, animals are so beautiful

[di]

i want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rowan]

I want lots! No luck in this part of Warwickshire, though.
I once found an old birdbox, put it up, and was delighted to see a bluetit hanging off it. Then I looked closer - it wasn't nesting IN the box, it was tearing off shreds of wood to build a nest elsewhere! Cheek!

[Nicos]

a bit of education for you!!

That really is so sweet- and tiny!!
I know the Romans introduced the dormouse to GB - so I googled it...
Apparently that's NOT the variety you eat!! They introduced the Fat ( or Edible) Dormouse ......( Phew!!)

Here's the info I googled...quite interesting!

roman food

Looks like they introduced bulimia too!

[lainey lou]

awwwwww! soooo cute and adorable!