Microhabitat surveys
In March 2021, all nestboxes were cleaned and any old nests found were
collected to analyse their composition. For each nestbox we noted: GPS
coordinates, tree species on which the nestbox was installed, height
from the base of the nestbox to the ground, and the orientation of the
front of the nestbox. Microhabitat data were collected during May and
June 2021 at four scales: directly above the nestbox, within a 5 m
radius of each box, in four 2 m x 5 m quadrats starting 5 m from the
nestbox, and using existing GIS layers (Fig 2, Table 1). Within the 5 m
radius cover was estimated within four levels: tree canopy, understorey,
field layer and ground layer (Eden 2009). Tree canopy reflected trees
taller than 4 m, with trees < 4m classified as part of
understorey (Berg & Berg 1998). The four 2 m x 5 m quadrats started at
the edge of the 5m radius running with orientations N, E, S and W. Fig.
2). Sampling areas which intersected footpaths or trackways were still
assessed as dormice can occasionally cross open ground when foraging or
looking for nesting materials (Mortelliti et al. 2013).