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It seems deer are being spotted with ever greater frequency in certain parts of the country.
Around here they are wreaking havoc with roses, pot plants, veg plots etc. It's such a problem some people have abandoned growing of certain plants known to be favoured by deer, as it's too disheartening to see their efforts repeatedly "strimmed."
10 years ago I remember it was still unusual to catch a glimpse of a deer in a wooded area; now I've seen them trotting along a residential road in the middle of the day!
I should add that I do live in an area with woods nearby, but even still the animals have never been as bold as they are now regarding human encounters. Probably the most remarkable incident I've had that illustrates their advance into human habitations was when a male deer ran across a dual carriage way right in front of me, having crossed a railway line from one side, and then disappeared in an industrial estate car park on the other. This occurred on the fringe of Croydon (which is most definitely not Dartmoor)!
So, could this be down to increasing deer numbers, dwindling habitats through creeping urbanisation, dwindling natural food, or some other reason..?
I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences and theories
Around here they are wreaking havoc with roses, pot plants, veg plots etc. It's such a problem some people have abandoned growing of certain plants known to be favoured by deer, as it's too disheartening to see their efforts repeatedly "strimmed."
10 years ago I remember it was still unusual to catch a glimpse of a deer in a wooded area; now I've seen them trotting along a residential road in the middle of the day!
I should add that I do live in an area with woods nearby, but even still the animals have never been as bold as they are now regarding human encounters. Probably the most remarkable incident I've had that illustrates their advance into human habitations was when a male deer ran across a dual carriage way right in front of me, having crossed a railway line from one side, and then disappeared in an industrial estate car park on the other. This occurred on the fringe of Croydon (which is most definitely not Dartmoor)!
So, could this be down to increasing deer numbers, dwindling habitats through creeping urbanisation, dwindling natural food, or some other reason..?
I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences and theories
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