CUTTLE BROOK LOCAL NATURE RESERVE

MUNTJAC DEER

We have had several sightings of Muntjac deer on this Nature Reserve, they are not uncommon in the local area but usually prefer woodland or large parks, away from human disturbance. Muntjac are not native to Britain and were originally introduced from Asia, probably to adorn some stately-home deer-park, but soon escaped and there is now a well-established and widespread feral population throughout southern England.

Muntjac are small, the size of, say, a Labrador dog and dark brown in colour, they are also known as Barking deer because of the male’s loud mating call. This can be heard at almost any time of the year as Muntjac breed in all seasons. Their diet consists of leaves, shoots and grasses but they do damage young trees by stripping bark with their sharp teeth.. They are generally solitary, territorial and nocturnal, spending their days lying up in quiet secluded areas. Their arrival on the Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve proves the value of the Reserve’s quiet areas, making it attractive to these shy animals even though it is situated in the middle of a busy small town. For this reason we ask visitors to stay on the paths and keep dogs under control.

Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve is owned by Thame Town Council and

managed by the Cuttle Brook Conservation Volunteers