Volunteers launch second hunt for rare dormice in Eastleigh parkland
A volunteer-led team is scouring Stoke Common Park for hazel dormice using inked tunnels, two years after the council acquired the land. No prints were found in 2023, but organizers remain hopeful after reports of sightings nearby.
A second search for elusive hazel dormice began this week at Stoke Common Park in Eastleigh, Hampshire, where volunteers are using a non-invasive tracking method to confirm the presence of one of Britain’s most threatened mammals.
📋 By The Numbers
- 2026 — Year by which volunteers aim to complete species status assessment
- 2023 — Year of first failed detection attempt
- 2022 — Year Eastleigh Borough Council purchased Stoke Common Park from farmland
The team, led by wildlife photographer and volunteer Steve Grundy, has set up black plastic tunnels baited with olive oil and charcoal pads to capture footprints of the nocturnal rodents. The devices are placed along hedgerows dense with blackberry and other scrub where dormice are known to travel.
"We didn’t detect any last year, but I’m cautiously optimistic this time," Grundy said. "We’ve had credible reports from nearby sites and we’re placing the tunnels where they’re most likely to walk." The volunteers return every two weeks to retrieve and replace the paper strips, which are then scanned for tell-tale five-toed prints.
| Survey Method | Traditional | Ink Tunnel |
|---|---|---|
| Human intrusion | High — requires trapping | None — remote monitoring |
| Licensing | Mandatory for handling | Not required |
| Cost | £200–£500 per session | £50 per session |
"This method lets us gather hard evidence without disturbing the animals," Grundy added. "It’s legal, cheap, and repeatable—perfect for tracking rare species over time." Dr. Paul Howe, ecology manager at Eastleigh Borough Council, said the data will guide future land management, including restoring ancient woodland corridors to help wildlife move safely through fragmented habitats.
💡 Pro Tip
Place ink tunnels at junction points where multiple hedgerow branches meet—these are natural ‘highways’ for small mammals.
Stoke Common Park was once cattle-grazed farmland before Eastleigh Borough Council bought it in 2022 to reduce nutrient runoff into the River Itchen. Howe emphasised that the council’s purchase was part of a wider strategy to reconnect isolated green spaces and reverse biodiversity decline in the region.
Key Points
- ✅ Volunteers using ink tunnels in Stoke Common Park to detect dormice without handling them
- ⚡ First survey in 2023 found no prints; second attempt underway
- 💡 Footprint method avoids licensing and reduces cost by 90%
The team will continue monitoring until autumn, when dormice prepare for hibernation. If prints are found, the council plans to expand the search area and consider reintroduction efforts similar to a recent project in a neighboring park. "We’re not just counting species—we’re building corridors for them," Howe said. "And we couldn’t do it without people like Steve and his team."