Chinese Water Deer

[Badger Watching Man]

Excellent pictures Roy!

I live a stone's throw from Woburn, so we have a lot of CWD around here. There do seem to be as numerous as muntjacs locally, although this may be because they are more visible.

I've found that the CWD do seem happy to stand out in the middle of fields, whereas muntjac will invariably stay close to hedges and woodland. The CWD also seem to be more active in the daytime, whereas muntjac will tend to be out at dusk or dawn.

I like CWD, although as Gill said they do have the habit of standing and staring. They always look permanently surprised to me.

[camo]

Hi BWM

Thank you, when I am walking I have quite often disturbed one from aditch or hedge and I have noticed how close it let me get before bolting, however a Muntjac is far more sensitive and will bolt froma distance. This may be because they are not hunted in the area.

I have also noticed that froma distance they look as though the head has a white edge.

Roy

[shei111]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

I've seen them up on the Norfolk Broads - though actually in suffolk on the Marshes at Carlton.

Never (knowingly) seen further south in the Red Deer country around Minsmere where I live.

Ive seen chinese water deer at dunwich/minsmere I always think they look a cross between a muntjac and kangaroo. odd looking but beautiful mammals . Aslo got hundreds of muntjac about , which I love so much. shei

[camo]

Originally Posted by shei111

Ive seen chinese water deer at dunwich/minsmere I always think they look a cross between a muntjac and kangaroo. odd looking but beautiful mammals . Aslo got hundreds of muntjac about , which I love so much. shei

The Muntjac are very bold at Minsmere and for those who haven't got close to a Muntjac I have seen them on every visit between the ?? hide (overlooks reeds) and the Mere Hide. On one occasion I got to within 12feet and it was perfectly happy to continue to browse. Muntjac always look to me to have warty faces, not as pretty a Roe but still interesting.

Roy

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by camo

The Muntjac are very bold at Minsmere and for those who haven't got close to a Muntjac I have seen them on every visit between the ?? hide (overlooks reeds) and the Mere Hide. On one occasion I got to within 12feet and it was perfectly happy to continue to browse. Muntjac always look to me to have warty faces, not as pretty a Roe but still interesting.

Roy

There was one muntjac that made regular visits to the back door of the kitchen - just wandered across the picnic area. I think this non-natural behaviour was kicked into touch

I've lied in these parts for 30 years - for the first ten years the only sign of a muntjac was the white tail disapearing into the bracken, nowadays it is very different. As you say, they are getting very tolerant of humans round here.

[Hedge Witch]

I agree there might be an increase in tolerance - the last Muntjac I saw stood long enough for me to make a positive ID.

If my eyes weren't deceiving me, a few months ago I think I spotted one in a garden from a bus in Greater London.

But just to get the thread back on track, CWD don't appear set to become as common as other species, according to a book I've been reading. In Hertfordshire, over the time span 1970 to 2000 (or thereabouts) the distribution map hardly altered "because of roads and unsuitable habitat".

[Pete Collins]

Very interesting thread. I will look out for Chinese Water Deer next time I'm in the Woburn area. I once saw some deer near there (at a distance) that I assumed were Roe Deer (definitely not Muntjac) but now I suspect they were probably CWD.

There are hundreds of CWD roaming Whipsnade Zoo, close to where I live. I've taken a few photos of them from the footpath beside the zoo fence - I think they are very cute, despite the fangs! I know it's cheating to take photos of captive animals, but I thought you might like these shots:-

Chinese Water Deer at Whipsnade Zoo

Chinese Water Deer at Whipsnade Zoo

[Hedge Witch]

Lovely shots Pete! Yes they are extremely cute

[Scubapauly]

There are a couple of fields on the way to Woburn where you are almost guaranteed to see them.

I was wondering if it would be possible to set my chair hide up for a day and see if I can get some decent shots.

Not sure who owns the land though

[camo]

Originally Posted by Scubapauly

There are a couple of fields on the way to Woburn where you are almost guaranteed to see them.

I was wondering if it would be possible to set my chair hide up for a day and see if I can get some decent shots.

Not sure who owns the land though

Hi Paul

I suspect you may be referring to an area I have watched and I will send you a PM to confirm, i will include a particular spot that is worth considering. My limited observations have shown the CWD are most nervous when I stalk them, although I think if you set up and wait for the CWD to regain there confidence you should be succesful. I have walked completly in the open and they haven't spooked but I have crawled up ditches and they have been alert to smallest movement. Also a walk around the hedges often gets you close and there is an opportunity for an action shot.

Good Luck

Roy