Muntjac Deer?

[saribird]

Hello,
I live in Leicestershire, south of Melton Mowbray. I have been walking different routes across the Public footpaths recently, as the farmer has put sheep in my usual fields, and the small crazy stafford thinks they are woolly dogs to be played with so avoiding those.....so I've been ranging further afield, through Croxton, Hoby, Brooksby, Rearsby and could swear I've seen some small deer. Have asked around...and been laughed at.....but have now seen what looks lik one splattered across the dual carriage way that bypasses the next large village. What do you think, do I need my eyes tested, or is it likely?
Obviously we have deer in leics, in Bradgate park, but these look like the small muntjac, I've seen in Norfolk. No photos as yet..but I live in hope!

Sarix x x x

[Dogghound]

I dont know the area but its certainly possible they are spreading very widely across the UK and are found further north and west than where you are so keep an eye out, they are very secretive as it is. Unmistakable really as they are alot smaller than a roe deer.

[darrenm]

the tiny hoof prints can also be a very good indicator that Muntjac are in an area and Muntjac tracks are normally about 3cm long and Roe Deer are around 4.5cm and it is worth checking around any puddles or soft muddy areas on your walks to see if you can find any.

A digital compact with macro setting is very usefull for help in your detective work and you can put a coin alongside any you find for scale, other features of the track will also help to distinguish between Roe and Muntjac and any pics could be posted on here.

Hope this was of some help and helps you to find an answer

[saribird]

Thanks darren, for all the advice, I will try to remember the camera. I have only seen them from a distance, but at least you're not laughing at me! I'm off out for a long walk tomorrow, so fingers crossed. I saw some very close up in Wells, Norfolk....amazing really, just behind the beach!

[darrenm]

Muntjac appear to be spreading across the East Midlands and wouldnt be surprised if they turned up anywhere in this area and they have even been recorded in suburban areas in and around towns and cities in recent decades including Liecester! so you can hopefully laugh back at your doubters

Have yet to see any in Nottinghamshire but have seen quite a few on Lincolnshire Coastal sites and in a lot of areas of Norfolk and always enjoy seeing them

All the best with your quest and keep us updated with your progress

[AdamU]

Hi all, new member here just found this site after Googling Deer Melton Mowbray. I did this as on my way back in to the office about 45 minutes ago, driving down Eye Kettleby Lane, Melton Mowbray, what I am sure was a Muntjac crossed the road in front of me and entered a small wooded area next to a farmers field. I was so shocked that I stopped and tried to get a better look and saw the back of it as it ran off where i could not follow. Unfortunately no photo but a pleasure to know I am not seeing things! It would appear, saribird, that there are Muntjac closer to Melton than just the surrounding villages. Will certainly keep my eyes open as I travel this way almost every day. A

[darrenm]

Maybe the members of this forum could produce a up to date distribution map of Muntjac sightings or say which area where they have seen them recently and that way we could start to see if populations are expanding outside of their known strongholds.

There is a recent distribution map of Muntjac in the 2009 publication Naturalized Animals of Britain and Ireland by Christopher Lever but all new sightings could help to develop this further

Welcome aboard saribird and AdamU and please keep your wildlife sightings coming in

[saribird]

thanks...forgot to say Hi, I'm a Newbie. Intersting to think that you've seen Muntjac down Eye kettleby Lane, that's not too far from me....I like the idea of the map Darren, how would we do that on here?

[thunder]

There is a map available on the NBN Gateway - NBN Gateway: Chinese Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) grid map which shows quite a few Leicestershire records.

henrya

[Leigh Robinson]

Hi,

Here you will find the latest deer distribution maps:
Deer Distribution

Muntjac have the arched back, it could also be small roe or chinese water deer but unlikely.