I've heard it all now. Can you believe there's a whole conference dedicated to dormice?
Apparently the seventh International Dormouse Conference, hosted by The Mammal Society, is being held for the first time in Britain from September 25 to 29.
Every three years, apparently, academics studying dormice, ecological consultants and general enthusiasts from all over the world meet to exchange information and update each other on research. Speakers from as far afield as Japan and South Africa will be addressing the conference.
Britain's only native dormouse, the hazel dormouse, is still in decline and the conference will hear about a new lightweight wire mesh bridge which Japanese dormice use to cross roads. As habitat fragmentation is a major threat to UK dormice, this may have lessons for getting them across new roads in Britain, reckon the conference organisers.
Fascinating stuff, I'm sure, and thanks to Johann to tipping me off about this - but I think I may be washing my hair between September 25 and 29.