Every so often, a woodland gives you a little sign that all the hard work is paying off. This week, we got one of our favourites.
On Saturday 15th August, Helen found two hazelnuts at Howes Wood that had been opened by dormice (the photo is a little blurry but the nibble hole is undeniable) and this is the first time we’ve seen this happen in this particular spot.
Two hazelnut shells found at Howes Wood, each showing the smooth, round nibble hole left by a hazel dormouse.
Why does that matter? This particular patch of hazel has been buried under fallen trees and brambles for a long time, so we’d never had the chance to see whether dormice were actually using it for food. It also happens to be right next to the area where we found dormouse nests tucked into the bramble last year.
Helen and the volunteer crew could easily have cleared that bramble to “tidy up” the site, but we left it, because we knew it was doing an important job as nesting cover. Now the hazel behind it has come good too, producing nuts that the dormice have found and fed on.
It’s exactly the result we hoped for: nesting habitat and feeding habitat, sitting side by side, both being used. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a woodland is simply leave it alone and let it get on with it.
Spotted a nibbled hazelnut on your own patch? A clean, round hole is the telltale sign of a dormouse, squirrels and mice tend to leave much messier, splintered edges.
Keep the red squirrels close all year round with our 2027 Red Squirrel Calendar
How to Get Your Copy
Calendars are £10 (plus p&p) and there are a few easy ways to get your hands on one:
- Order online through our shop: 2027 Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust Calendar
- Pop into a local stockist, you’ll currently find them at Squirrel’s Den Collectables, Arreton Barns; Crumb Pact Artisanal Cookies & Brownies (at the fairs they are attending) and Briddlesford Farm Shop with more stockists to come…
- Catch us in person, we’ll have copies at various events across the Island over the coming weeks, so keep an eye on our Facebook page (pinned posts) for where to find us next
!["Front cover of the 2027 Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust calendar showing a red squirrel reaching for an acorn"]](https://iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1-300x212.jpg)
A word of warning though, these calendars have a habit of selling out fast, and this print run is limited, so if you know you do want one (or five, for stocking fillers), we’d say don’t leave it too long!
Back Cover of the 2027 Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust Calendar
Every calendar sold goes straight back into our work at Howes Wood and beyond, funding path-building, tree work, monitoring, and all the day-to-day essentials of protecting the Island’s red squirrels. So really, it’s a present for you, and a present for them too.
Sponsors of The Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust 2027 Calendar
Order online through our shop:
2027 Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust Calendar
Thank you, as ever, for being part of our red squirrel family.
Here’s to a bright, bushy-tailed 2027.
Keen to get more involved?
We’re always looking for volunteers, event helpers, and calendar champions willing to spread the word.
If you would like to help with this then please get in touch at admin@iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk ,
or drop us a whatsapp to 07746 573707