Deer!!! What have you bumped into lately with a brummy accent?

[PaulAshton]

Hello all.

I'm based in the west midlands and am looking for locations in central england/welsh borders where I can go deer stalking...

..with my camera and binoculars!!!

I've tramped across most of the west midlands and south staffs viewing plenty of muntjac, fallow and a smaller number of Red Deer.

Now, I've found the Red Deer of Cannock Chase outside the boundary of the chase in nearby (3 miles away) common land/woodland but haven't managed to locate them in the chase itself. I know they are suppose to be located to the south east side (butr I've not seen track or sign yet) with the large numbers of fallow (which are easily seen) dominating the north and west.

Can anyone tell me where I'm likely to see red Deer or Roe, even Chinese Water Deer in the central england area, as I do love a good tramp through a muddy wood looking for the more elusive of our deer species.

Also any input from anyone who's viewed the shaggy Fallow Deer of the Ludlow forests would be appreciated.

:bounce:

[Ashley beolens]

Not really central England but only an hour by road from Brum is Woburn abbey, Beds, you will find Chinese water deer all around the area (I counted 15 in one field once), and they are wild, although the red deer quite clearly are not.

[Brian Stone]

I spent an hour or so at dusk at Woodwalton Fen (Cambridgeshire) on Saturday. Perhaps a bit out of range for what you ask but I had lengthy views of up to 10 Chinese Water Deer, some close. They start kicking up a racket at dusk too. I always see them here but not usually in such numbers.

I have also seen a herd of Sika Deer at a site in East Northants - the first I have seen in the wild.

[saluki]

Try the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust's reserve at Black Brook for Red Deer:

http://www.staffordshirewildlife.org.uk/reservedetails.asp?ses=&pl=false&rsid=104

I discovered them a few years ago and got in touch with the Trust when I saw a stag almost collide with a vehicle - I noticed there were no road signs indicating deer were present. They got back in touch immediately, thanking me and indicating that they would bring the matter up with the local council. A couple of days later the County Recorder got in touch asking me for the exact location - I got the feeling they didn't know the deer were there!

saluki