The battle about the box: competition as the main factor behind the choice for resting sites of hazel dormice

Abstract

Abstract Nest boxes and nest tubes are widely used to survey and monitor hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius). A two-year study was conducted in order to compare the performance of the two devices. In one year hazel dormice clearly preferred nest tubes over nest boxes but preferred nest boxes over nest tubes in the other year. The preference for one or other device was mainly influenced by competition for nest boxes with Apodemus mice, which preferred nest boxes over nest tubes during one year when they were abundant. This has to be considered when comparing performance of methods.