Whilst carrying out the first check of my dormouse boxes for the coming season and despite the Great tit, Blue tit and Coal tit nests that occupy many of their boxes, I found one or two dormice still in a very torpid stage. They will soon be waking up but I took the opportunity to get an image or two before wrapping him back up into his box..!
Quite a privilege to work with these cute little critters which are fully protected under European legislation. I have a handling license in order to carry out the monitoring of populations here in Kent and throughout England.
Have a good day folks,
Brett
Canon 5D Mk II, Canon 24-70mm, HH
1/25 @ f8.0, ISO 800
Matt: In general the species seems to be stable but in many areas the reports are that the animals have declined greatly in the past couple of years. Mostly due to fragmentation and some possible association with climate etc.. However, that seems to be the same story with almost anything in science today!
The problem persists that we do not have enough connectivity between habitats where this species once frequented including ancient woodlands, hedgerows, reedbeds and thickets etc.. Their range can be quite varied and so can their nest sites. In Kent we have quite a stronghold of dormice with some of the largest recorded numbers coming from woodlands in the county. It's important that we continue to manage our woodlands and not get to strung up with bureaucracy and in a way that maintains the diversity and linkages we so desperately need for a magnitude of species that thrive there.
Wish I could be snuggled up like that now! Another super image Brett, and as said, what a privelege to be in your position, albeit a lot of studying! Great Stuff.
Being a Downunderite I thought as these characters coming to life in fairy tales they were some sort of mythical animal well so they are not would be interesting to see a picture of one in the awakening world.
Discussion
16 repliesQuite a privilege to work with these cute little critters which are fully protected under European legislation. I have a handling license in order to carry out the monitoring of populations here in Kent and throughout England.
Have a good day folks,
Brett
Canon 5D Mk II, Canon 24-70mm, HH
1/25 @ f8.0, ISO 800
Regards,
David
Reminds me of a shot I,ve seen before somewhere
Checked ours yesterday and they,re well awake !
Cheers
John
Paul
Love it!
Greetings,
Jeroen Stel
Matt
Matt: In general the species seems to be stable but in many areas the reports are that the animals have declined greatly in the past couple of years. Mostly due to fragmentation and some possible association with climate etc.. However, that seems to be the same story with almost anything in science today!
The problem persists that we do not have enough connectivity between habitats where this species once frequented including ancient woodlands, hedgerows, reedbeds and thickets etc.. Their range can be quite varied and so can their nest sites. In Kent we have quite a stronghold of dormice with some of the largest recorded numbers coming from woodlands in the county. It's important that we continue to manage our woodlands and not get to strung up with bureaucracy and in a way that maintains the diversity and linkages we so desperately need for a magnitude of species that thrive there.
Kind regards,
Brett
I'd swap the corporate madness for a role like that any day.
Cheers
Austin
Fran
A lovely image and very cute.
Matt
Charles R Kerr
Downunder
Lovely shot Brett, very cute and sleepy too
Andy...
Mark