Extending Dormouse Territory in Somerset

During National Tree Week, 22-30 Nov 2025, 3000 CAP trees were planted at Ham Hill Country Park, Somerset. Details below.

This November, we have the exciting opportunity to plant a further 2,500 CAP trees to extend that range, making a single connected woodland of over 10 hectares.

HAM HILL SOMERSET

Ham Hill is a beautiful rolling Iron Age fort and country park located near Yeovil in Somerset. Covering around 210 acres with three miles of defensive earth ramparts, it is one of the largest prehistoric hill-forts in Britain. The site has a rich history spanning from the Neolithic and Mesolithic periods, Roman occupation and medieval farming. It is famous for its sweeping views over the Somerset Levels, tapestry of wild spaces and a honeyed limestone that is still quarried there. Ham Hill is managed by the Somerset Council.

PLANTING AT HAM HILL

Ham Hill has a number of fragmented woodlands, some of which are home to a rare & treasured hazel dormouse population. In November 2025, volunteers led by the Somerset Council planted 3,000 CAP-funded trees to bridge four of these woodlands in order to extend their range.

This autumn, the Council would like to plant a further 2,500 trees to increase this woodland once again, making one substantial connected wood of over 10 hectares. We are very close to having it funded thanks to ProdCo & Biscuit Filmworks among others.

ON THE TRAIL OF DORMICE

Each year dormice surveys are conducted by Paul McNeill to assess the health of the population in the area. Surveys involve walking in transects through Ham Hill's woodland, checking over 40 dormouse boxes for signs that they have been used. Numbers fluctuate each year but range from none to ten. Surveys are conducted in the autumn as the breeding season draws to a close and before the dormice descend from the trees to build nests in the ground for their long winter's sleep. This year, when the population wakes in the spring, they should find the first shoots of our next batch of trees popping up around them.

Lib Dem MP for Glastonbury & Somerton Sarah Dyke

Planting 3,000 trees in November, 2025

With the help of planting teams from the Somerset Council, local volunteer groups & families & a team from Scout Productions, 3,000 native trees were planted over 6 days in Witcombe Valley at Ham Hill Country Park. The planting was led by Paul McNeill who, with ecologist James Chapman, had selected 15 native tree species to plant including oak, hazel, field maple, goat willow & crab apple. Species were included if drought tolerant and beneficial to local wildlife. Despite myriad weather conditions the teams were brilliant and we are delighted that the woodland is now in.

A huge thanks goes to Stink Films, ProdCo, BBH, Academy Films & Biscuit Filmworks.

This 2025 planting project happened thanks to CAP funders

Sept 2026, on the trail of dormice at Ham Hill Country Park

On Friday 4th September 2026, we carried out the autumn dormouse survey at Ham Hill Country Park, checking more than 40 dormouse nest boxes for signs of life. Two years ago, around eight dormouse nests were found, last year, after a long dry summer, none. We found wood mouse nests, a beautiful honeycombed hornets’ nest (complete with a sleepy queen), blue tits’ mossy homes and then finally, two dormouse nests.

Hazel dormice spend their active months moving through trees and shrubs, making nests from fresh leaves and finely shredded plant material to give their beds a little extra padding. Nobody was home in the ones we found, but the signs were enough to let us breathe. Once the breeding season is over, these nest boxes will be abandoned as they come down to ground level to make their winter nests and do what they do best....sleep until the spring.