By Lauren Beavis via SWNS
Mini rope bridges have been installed in one of England’s ancient forests – to help dormice cross safely between treetops.
Two 20m-long bridges, 16ft high, have been built over a track in the Forest of Dean by Forestry England.
The creative solution comes after the removal of diseased ash trees from a woodland in Flaxley left the endearing mammals’ habitats disconnected.
Forestry England said these would “enable dormice to feel safer as they cross from one part of the wood to another”.
Forestry England says the hazel dormouse population, which is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, of 1981, has declined – and the Forest of Dean remains an “important habitat” for them.
Area Ecologist at Forestry England, Kate Wollen, explained: “Dormice do not like to come to ground except for hibernation.
“They feel vulnerable to predators when on the ground.”
Hazel dormice need woodland or hedgerow trees and shrubs to live and feed during the warmer months and rarely come to the ground, preferring to travel around underneath treetops or shrub cover.
But Chalara ash dieback, caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, had developed among a section of trees in the woodland in Flaxley, where dormice are monitored.
A Forestry England spokesperson said: “The fungus blocks the tree’s water transport system, causing leaf loss, and lesions in the wood and on the bark.
“This causes the crown of trees to die back.
“Trees become brittle over time with branches breaking away from the tree.
“If left untreated, trees can potentially collapse, presenting an immediate danger to the surrounding area.”
Forestry England removed the trees in woodland near Mitcheldean and decided to build the bridges – which took less than two days to install and over the summer trail cameras will be fitted to monitor the dormice using them.
Community ranger Leoni Dawson added: “We could not have accomplished this project without the help of our volunteers.
“Together we have worked very hard in this woodland improving habitat for the wildlife and flora. We also have a volunteer who has been surveying for dormice here for over 20 years!
“We hope the bridges will complement this work and that dormice will do well. We’ve never tried this before and it is exciting to see what will happen.”
