Red Deer Problem.

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

I'm not sure that they cull at Minsmere though.

Also this garden was at Aldeburgh which must be five miles from the deers' most popular areas of Minsmere.

I'm sure ! The RSPB do not have those high seats placed in the positions they are for watching squirrels.

Native Red Deer in England are thought to have been hunted to extinction by the Tudor period.
The 'Minsmere' herd probably came from the Somerleyton Estate near Lowestoft and probably has a mix of carted deer (deer carted from an enclosure and released to be hunted - many escaped)
But the Reds have outgrown the Minsmere area and have expanded their range down the coast of Suffolk as far as Aldeburgh, although pockets do exist at Tunstall & Rendlesham forests.

It is most likely the deer that have reached Aldeburgh hide up in the reedbeds at RSPB North Warren or in the wooded section there, or even on the Aldringham Walks which the RSPB also manage.

Anyway, I must say I'm extremely disappointed Minsmere never got back to me, neither did the Deer Initiative - perhaps it has something to do with client confidentiality.
So I guess her best bet is to protect the trunks with the chicken wire netting wrapped around them and in conjunction with the Allotment Holders Association, bring the problem to the District Council's attention as in Winter, when food will be more scarce, the bark stripping will be far worse.
(and yes, it is very unusual for bark to be eaten at this time of year)

Neil.

[STYRBJORN]

I have an open ticket for my 6.5 . . .

[operanut1972]

Lol we all know who shot Bambi's Mum now!!!

[fairplay]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

I'm not sure that they cull at Minsmere though.

Also this garden was at Aldeburgh which must be five miles from the deer's most popular areas of Minsmere.

I have just arrived back home from a local Suffolk Wildlife Trust talk, where the speaker was the top guy from the Deer Initiative.
It was an excellent talk and I was able to discuss the problem this lady has with Red Deer during the coffee break.
I learnt that you cannot shoot deer at night unless you have special permission from DEFRA who would be most likely to say "no". It must be night time when the deer visit this lady's garden, so shooting is definitely out.

The deer eating the bark before winter fully comes, is unusual, but something he is aware of, and he does accept, in fact was keen to point out, that the herd at RSPB Minmere are increasing very fast, and including the
surrounding forest, now number between 400 and 500 Red Deer.

He also pointed out that the high seats at RSPB Minsmere would be used for shooting foxes and that RED DEER ARE NOT SHOT AT MINSMERE, SO MY APOLOGIES TO HOBJOB FOR DISPUTING HIM.

As for this lady's garden, I improved the fencing slightly, but they do seem to have moved on, maybe because all the fruit is gone or too high up.

Neil.