Apprentices at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have designed and handmade a series of nest boxes for one of the UK’s most endangered mammals, the hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius), as part of the marque’s long-term environmental partnership with the neighbouring Goodwood Estate.
The hazel dormouse is a tiny creature, about 6 to 9 cm (or 3”) long with a tail of similar length and typically weighs around 25g (1oz) – roughly the same as a pencil.
The apprentices based their design on detailed research with various wildlife trusts to determine the appropriate shape and dimensions for the nest boxes. Most importantly, they needed to ensure the entrance hole would be large enough to admit the dormice, while obstructing their many predators, which include owls, badgers and domestic cats.
The team selected oak as a durable and non-toxic building material, which has an interesting grain pattern that creates a shimmering, iridescent surface effect called ‘ray fleck’. The nest boxes are finished with roofing felt to protect them from the weather and increase their durability.
During an on-site visit, the apprentices met the Goodwood Estate’s head of forestry and learned about the types of habitats favoured by dormice, and how to install the nest boxes into woodland.
The nest boxes have been placed in an area of hazel and other broadleaf species, with a dense undergrowth including honeysuckle and ivy, which dormice use to climb into safe hiding spaces.
However, despite the luxury accommodation on offer, there has been no definitive evidence of dormice living in the area; the Goodwood Estate team hope they can confirm their presence by installing the nest boxes.
Monitoring will allow the team to identify and address any threats in the surrounding environment and enhance the habitat further. Managing the woodland more effectively for dormice will also benefit the much broader range of species living there.
Andrew Ball, Head of Corporate Relations and Heritage, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “Studies have shown that our 42-acre site and the adjoining Goodwood Estate are home to some of Britain’s most important mammals, reptiles, birds, insects and plants – all of which we’re helping to conserve through our long-term environmental partnership.
“In this latest initiative, we’re working together to measure and monitor the local population of another rare and protected species, the hazel dormouse, using nest boxes designed and handmade by our apprentices.
“The nest boxes are located in prime dormouse habitats and we’re very hopeful that these delightful but highly endangered creatures will soon take up residence in the palatial new accommodation we’ve provided!”
The hazel dormouse is the only species of dormice native to Britain. Most commonly found in the south of England and Wales, its population has crashed in recent years; numbers are thought to have fallen by 52% between 2009 and 2018, mainly through the loss and fragmentation of the ancient woodland and hedgerows that make up its habitat.
This, combined with dormice being nocturnal and arboreal creatures, makes seeing them extremely difficult and rare to spot.
Hazel dormice are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, meaning it is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or handle them. This safeguard also extends to any location or structure – including the new Rolls-Royce nest boxes – that hazel dormice use for shelter or protection.
