Oh Deer

Wild mammals are pretty thin on the ground here in Britain, so it's a red-letter day any time we spot one. We've caught this little Reeve's Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi ) in the garden a few times now, typically either investigating the paths through the pocket meadow or haring away down the driveway if one of us opens the door without noticing the deer's presence first. I sneaked this shot through the kitchen window; it's not a great capture, but it's one of the very few I've managed to snap — and believe it or not, it's better than the others. Muntjacs aren't native here; according to the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, they were first introduced to Woburn Park in Bedfordshire back in 1838 and have spread fairly rapidly across much of southern England (through escapes and deliberate introductions) ever since. They're pretty cute, but are also causing some fairly serious conservation issues. They are particularly fond of forest understory plants, and are munching their way through woodlands with abandon. They haven't done much damage in our garden (yet, anyway), but our neighbours aren't quite as excited to see them as we are!