23/10/2026
Take part in our citizen science project - The Great Nut Hunt - launching on Monday 26th October
Help to survey dormice, wood mice, voles and squirrels in your local area to build a picture of how small mammal populations are doing across the island and where exactly they live. Dormice, wood mice and voles are small and rarely seen so you are unlikely to see one however they leave a trail of clues on the ground that tell us where they live.
Clues
These furry mammals are hard to find because they are small and nocturnal, so very few people are lucky enough to see them in the wild. The best way to find their habitat is to look on the woodland floor for hazel nut shells they have opened. Dormice, wood mice, voles and squirrels all gnaw the nuts in different ways, by looking at the teeth marks on the shell it’s possible to tell which have opened the nut.
Get started
For more information on where to look, how to keep safe and how to identify mammal teeth marks visit the Isle of Wight National Landscape website - https://isleofwight-nl.org.uk/greatnuthunt or pick up an ID guide and survey from one of the collection points listed. Return survey sheets and collected nuts by 21st November.
Bag collection and drop off points
Please check opening days/times before travelling.
• Isle of Wight Libraries: Newport – Lord Louis, Ryde, Sandown, Freshwater, Ventnor and Cowes
• National Trust Visitor Point, Newtown Creek
• Dimbola Museum and Galleries
• Brading Roman Villa
• Calbourne Water Mill
Get Creative
Artist Lucia Para is running creative woodland workshops for families on Monday 26th October 10-12pm at Lord Louis library in Newport and at Ryde Library Saturday 31st October 2-4pm. Drop in, no need to book, everyone welcome.
The Results
Join Isle of Wight National Landscape on Wednesday 18th November 5-6pm at Ryde Library for a talk on dormice, wood mice, bank voles and squirrels - their habitats, behaviour patterns and what the results of the survey could tell us.
Sign up the Isle of Wight National Landscape newsletter to be notified when the survey results are published - https://isleofwight-nl.org.uk/newsletter-signup
If you'd like to share photos of your finds on social media tag
In partnership with the Isle of Wight Council Library Service and organisations across the island: People's Trust for Endangered Species Gift to Nature National Trust Isle of Wight The Brading Roman Villa The Water Mill, Calbourne Dimbola Museum & Galleries Wight Nature Fund Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Isle of Wight Council iWatchWildlife
Drawings by Lucia Elfina Para
National Landscapes Association Isle of Wight Biosphere Reserve Island Nature
