Pretty but pesky rodent?

The staff at Parque La Mata have recently confirmed the presence of Eliomys Quernicus (el lirón in Spanish and garden dormouse to us) in the park. Although it is widespread throughout Europe (but not in the UK), it has not previously been seen here.

It is between 10 and 17cm in length with a tail of 9 to 13.5cm. The tail ends in a white tassel. El lirón is mainly nocturnal and comes out of its nest at night to eat insects, snails, eggs, young nestlings (so may represent a threat to our birdboxes), small rodents, berries, fruit and nuts.