Islanders Invited To Join Great Nut Hunt To Help Protect Wildlife

Islanders are being encouraged to explore their local woodlands and help build a clearer picture of small mammal populations as part of the Great Nut Hunt.

Organised by Isle of Wight National Landscape, the citizen science project aims to establish where dormice, wood mice, voles and squirrels are living across the Island.

Because many of these animals are small, nocturnal and rarely spotted in the wild, volunteers are being asked to search for evidence they leave behind instead.

Hazelnut shells provide valuable clues, with each species leaving distinctive teeth marks when opening nuts.

By examining collected shells, researchers can identify which animals are present in different woodland areas.

The findings will help inform conservation work and provide guidance to woodland managers, particularly as habitat loss and changes to traditional woodland management continue to affect small mammal populations.

How To Take Part

Survey packs and identification guides are available from several locations, including:

• Lord Louis Library in Newport and libraries in Ryde, Sandown, Freshwater, Ventnor and Cowes.

• National Trust Visitor Point at Newtown Creek.

• Dimbola Museum and Galleries.

• Brading Roman Villa.

• Calbourne Water Mill.

Completed survey sheets and collected nuts should be returned by 21 November.

Instructions on identifying teeth marks, finding suitable locations and staying safe are available via the Great Nut Hunt website.

Free Woodland Workshops

Families can also take part in creative woodland sessions led by artist Lucia Para.

These will take place at Lord Louis Library in Newport on Monday, October 26, from 10am to midday, and Ryde Library on Saturday, October 31, from 2pm to 4pm.

Both sessions are free to drop into, with no booking required.

A further event at Ryde Library on Wednesday, November 18, between 5pm and 6pm, will explore the behaviour and habitats of the four mammal species and explain what the survey findings could reveal.

The project is being delivered alongside the Isle of Wight Council Library Service and several Island conservation, heritage and community organisations.

Further information and updates on the results can be found through the Isle of Wight National Landscape website.