Schoolchildren go nutty for dormice!
Youngsters from three Vale of Glamorgan primary schools have enjoyed an action-packed day learning about one of Wales’ most rare and elusive mammals.
Aimed at raising awareness of the dormouse, the event involving children from Rhws, Jenner Park and Cadoxton schools was organised by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the Wildlife Trust at Porthkerry Country Park in Barry and sponsored by RWE npower Aberthaw.
Through activities such as building dormice nests and identifying nibbled hazelnuts, the children learned about dormice, their habitats and what actions are needed to safeguard their future.
Once found in woodlands across England and Wales, the dormouse is now found mainly in South Wales and south west England but, despite being in a 'dormouse hotspot,' there have only been a few records in the Vale.
The Vale council is working with 13 other local authorities, Gwent Wildlife Trust, the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales to identify dormice habitats throughout South Wales.
Dormice leave distinctive marks on hazelnut shells when feeding and, by getting volunteers to send in any nibbled nuts, it should be possible to build a picture of where dormice are in order to focus future conservation efforts.
Cabinet member for tourism and leisure Cllr Gwyn John said: "As well as educating young people about the dormouse and the important habitats in the Vale that may support them, we hope the event will encourage them and their families to take part in the South Wales Dormouse Survey."
Emphasising how "essential the natural environment is to all of us and how much we benefit from it," Dr Mark Picton, from Aberthaw Power Station, said: "We feel it’s important that local businesses and industry support local communities and the wildlife that they have access to."
The South Wales dormouse survey is something that everyone can get involved in - young or old, and the Vale council ecology team have been busy recruiting volunteers and recently spent the day in Tescos in Barry talking to people about the dormouse and how they can help protect it.
For more information on the South Wales Dormouse Survey, download survey packs and find out how schools and community groups can organise their own event by visiting the biodiversity pages of the Vale Council website or by contacting Richard May on 01446 704855.
Captions: Youngsters learning about dormice at Portkerry Park, and a picture of a sleepy little dormouse. Picture by Kate Merry.