Quantock Hills Blog

Dear deer

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Andy Harris

Posted by Andy Harris on 15 June 2010

Dear deer On my travels around the AONB & further afield, I’ve seen a lot young birds & animals making the most of what has been a good spring.  From the pied flycatchers in the nest boxes, a young fox playing around their den to deer calves lying up quietly in the woods it’s a privilege to witness these things when going about your work.

 

We must do our bit to help minimise any disturbance especially by keeping dogs under close control / on a lead.  If you do come across a deer calf or fledgling away from its nest, there’s probably no need to worry and if you just walk on by, its parents will be near by keeping an eye on them.  However if you do have concerns do feel free to call a Ranger who may be able to help.  I’ve nearly completed my bird ringing of the young in the nest boxes and I’ll share the results with you soon.

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  • No avatar available
    Deanna

    15 Jun 10

    I walked up Bicknoller Combe this evening and saw some fallow deer, one with calf.  Having walked and ridden the hills for many years now I have never seen fallow deer before.  Is this unusual?  And if so why would they be there?

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    bill gulliford

    21 Jun 10

    During the second world war the railings around the deer park at Combe Sydenham were removed as part of the war effort with the result that the fallow deer escaped into the surrounding countryside. Since then they have slowly expanded their range along the northern side of the Brendon Hills and more recently over Willet Hill and Ashbeer Hill, Stogumber. From here it is only a short hop via Vellow Wood to the Quantocks, but I personally think that they will not colonise the Quantocks for the same reason that they have not spread onto Exmoor, and that is quite simply that the Red deer will not tolerate them invadeing their territory. As a matter of interest there was also, many years ago, a deer park at Nettlecombe which also was stocked with fallow deer. Also of note is the fact that there are a number of white Fallow deer in the area which have their origins from four white fallow bucks from Powderham Castle in South Devon which were brought back to Combe Sydenham in the 1950’s by Gordon Wight, cattle haulier, of Milverton.

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