Conservation Status:Vulnerable, locally endangered, priority species included in the national Biodiversity Action Plan.
Hertfordshire:Patchy distribution limited by the fragmentation of appropriate habitat. Monitoring survey in progress.
Protection:Protected under Schedule 5 & 6 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) and included on the EC directive (Annex IVa) & Bern Convention (Appendix III).
General Information:Easily recognised by its bright golden fur, large eyes and bushy tail. It is a woodland species (particularly Hazel woodland) feeding on pollen, fruits, seeds and insects. Searching for the nests (grapefruit size) in bramble bushes and examining hazel nuts for their characteristic nibbling pattern can be the best methods for locating their presence.
Threats: Loss of ancient semi-natural woodland and loss of overgrown hedges as linking corridors. Fragmentation of habitats causes isolation of populations leading to local extinctions. Decline in woodland management (coppicing) and inappropriate management.
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