Roe Deer in South Wales

[Justin Time]

Was out and about in my local patch on Friday, the first time in a long time because of all the work hours I'm putting in. As I sneaked along the forest edge, heard a bit of a rustle, expected to see a fox and up pops a Roe deer, doe, who looked at me with pretty much the same amount of surprise as I felt and then dashed off into the woods. From the state of the grass it looked as if it had found a good place to lie up during the day.

Anyway, I was wondering if any other South Walians had seen Roe? From my googling it looks like there aren't any reports roughly south of the Heads of the Valleys road. More precisely the sighting was less than half a mile from the housing estate I live in in Bridgend. I know there's someone else plays in these woods, found a plastic sheeting shelter not far from this sighting.

Guess I'll need to check for ticks now when I come back from playing out.

ATB
Andrew

 

[Dan1982]

I havent had the pleasure in our neck of the woods as yet. Whare abouts were you mate?

Dan

 

[Bernie Garland]

More precisely the sighting was less than half a mile from the housing estate I live in in Bridgend

Bernie

 

[hiraeth]

There were roe at Margam a few years ago, so it could be the ofspring of some that escaped..
A Sika was taken near Pyle about two years ago, not sure where that one came from.

 

[Justin Time]

I've seen the Fallow Deer at Margam, and the feral fallows living in the forestry above there, didn't know they had Roe as well. Most of the stuff I've read about Roes in Wales suggests it's more a case of natural expansion into Wales from England rather than escapes. I don't mind which way it came here. I was just pleased to see it... Didn't know about the Sika, that's very interesting...

 

[Dunelm]

I was going to post a new Roe thread but I'll hi-jack yours

I was out in my local woods in Durham this morning and saw a lot of Roe, which are much greyer/blacker than the Roe in Cumbria - which are almost golden orange in the summer.

As I was walking along a path along a wooded ridge with steep drops on both sides a Roe doe followed very closely by a buck came up from the left, crossed the trail and descended the right-hand slope. This was about 10meters in front of me. One of my closest deer encounters this year.

What puzzled me is that when I reached the point were they crossed the trail there was a noticeable and quite offensive smell in the air. This quickly dissipated and a couple of meters further on there was nothing. I've never noticed this smell around Roe before. It's a little late for the Roe rut, which I understand runs from July-Aug, any ideas?

 

[crwydryny]

humm... I know they had them in north wales but I've yet to see any down this way. if you see them again send them this way (a few miles east of you)

 

[Wolfie]

I have it on good authority that a number of deer have been relased onto the dunes at Merthyr Mawr. Could be that they are starting to wander further afield. Where exactly did you see them? Would be especially interested in the location of the camp if it was on the dunes within the National Nature Reserve boundary.

 

[Rhoda]

There are definitely Roe deer at Merthyr Mawr, We found loads of tracks when we did a little recce walk for my tracking workshops for the Bushmoot.

 

[Justin Time]

Interesting... maybe a mile or so north of MM, close to the Swansea-London railway line. Wonder who released them at MM and why? Don't really mind because it makes a great addition to the local fauna... and gave me a chance to practice tracking yesterday....mmmm Roe Deer poo!

 

[crwydryny]

humm... hopefully I'll be in that area come spring for an aikido course maybe I'll have to swing by Merthyr Mawr before headding home, maybe I'll get lucky and spot one

 

[Gabe]

The Roe that have been released on Merthyr Mawr are from the same lot as kept at Margam Park. They were released at the beginning of '08 as part of a reintroduction. I was rudely awaken from a mid-summers night bivvi by one. (shh....dont tell the fun police about bivviing on MM!!!!)

 

[Wolfie]

As the Reserve Manager for Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve can I please remind BCUK members that overnight camping is not permitted on the reserve.

Anybody found camping on the reserve will be asked to leave in no uncertain terms and may even be reported to the Police if any of the Features of Interest of the Reserve have been damaged. The reserve is of European importance for its wildlife and is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation, a SSSI and a Scheduled Ancient Monument

I need not remind you that the Bushmoot is held on the campsite at Merthyr Mawr and if the number of incidents of camping on the reserve increase the Merthyr Mawr Estate may well review the use of the campsite by BCUK.

If anyone is interested in the wildlife / ecology of Merthyr Mawr please get in touch.

Thank You