A CALL to help research into an internationally endangered species on Dartmoor was this week launched by the Dartmoor Diversity Project?s Action for Wildlife team. The team is looking for help to identify more sites of dormice activity on the moors. Thanks to help from residents in the last few years knowledge of their distribution has increased ? but the picture is still far from complete. Ellie Soper, Action for Wildlife assistant project officer, said: ?Dormice have been declining in many areas in recent years and have been identified as a key Dartmoor Biodiversity Action Plan species. ?New records are particularly valuable to help to expand our level of knowledge of their distribution within Dartmoor National Park.? No experience is necessary to help with the project ? just willingness to spend some time rooting around in hedgerows and woodlands looking for hazel nuts. By examining the nuts, it is possible to tell which animal has opened the shell to get at the nut inside ? dormice leave a characteristically evenly nibbled hole. Anyone who would like to take part in the research should get in touch with Action for Wildlife and request a survey pack, which will help them to identify nuts eaten by dormice, woodmice and voles. The pack can be downloaded from the website at http://www.actionforwildlife.org.uk">www.actionforwildlife.org.uk, or by calling 01626 831072. The packs are also available from the High Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown.
