Roe Deer, are they there?

[ChiltonWanderer]

Hi

There is a newly planted woodland area just beyond the back of my garden - I say newly planted, its about 10 years old now but the trees are not that tall - the tallest are reaching possibly 25 feet. There are a number of different tree and shrub species. The area is maybe 1/4 mile square and is surrounded by hills and open fields but is not far away from housing estates and town.
I heard from a neighbour that Roe Deer had been spotted in the wooded area around two years ago. Since then I have looked and searched and have never spotted a roe deer. Is it possible these creatures are around? I have seen foxes, rabbits, hares, hedgehogs, pheasants and partridges as well as an array of other birds but no deer.
Are there any clues I can look for? I've never seen footprints and doubt the deer have ever been there.

Thanks

[salukiwhippet]

Entirely likely. Roe get to a lot of places where you wouldn't beleive it. I know of several populations IN Swindon!

A mooch in the snow looking for slots and 'crotties' can tell you a great deal. Some of the land which I manage has a very mobile roe population, which seems to be linked to the even more mobile and much larger fallow population - it seems that when the fallow move in (usually just prior to their rut), the roe make themselves scarce.
Damn munties are there all the time though!

James

[danthekeeper]

I agree james the roe population is rapidly expanding and more are being seen in
urban areas than ever before muntjac seem particularly adept at adapting to an urban environment.

I would be surprised if deer where not present in your piece of wood land as well as slots and crotties (droppings) it would be worth looking for fraying on saplings where the deer have been cleaning the velvet from their antlers it wont be long before the older deer start to fray.

[werdnal]

We have Roes here. They are very illusive and probably tend to see you long before you see them, so move off before you get a glimpse. I did happen to come face to face with one once - I was out looking for our cat who'd disappeared when due for his medication, and went to look in my neighbour's field - one of his favourite spots. Reached the gate and a roe was standing a few feet inside, and we both stood still with surprise for a few seconds, before it ran off. Beautiful creature. Our neighbour has seen them at a distance with bins, but never as close as I managed to get - more luck than judgement though!

Look for their droppings - similar to a goats, raisin sized black/brownish, spread around a small patch, or possibly clumped together. Tracks are also easy to spot and nothing else in the wild makes the same prints - cloven (2 clawed) hooves.

Good luck. I have only seen one in the last 3 years, so patience is required!

[Alex90]

I found roe deer tracks this evening i nthe most unusual of places, a car park next to a small golf course, but the car park is next to a school, a busy road and pathway and its a hell of a journey from the nearest substantial woodland. entirely possible though and undoubtedly a roe deer track .. defo not sheep ... tracks only other thing i can think of is does someone have a pet goat there lol

[ron1863]

We have lots of them and I tend to see them more often in Winter when they come out of the woods into the fields to feed. They are very elusive and surprisingly well camouflaged, especially when in woodland and it's when they move off that you spot them.

[Alex90]

Yes Roe deer can go completely un-noticed in woodland as initially they will freeze, its only if you get too close or really spook them that they bolt... this is generally when people tend to see them.