I had noticed for a few weeks that something or somebody was chomping its way through the remains of my chard, but late this afternoon we arrived in time to catch the culprit in the act.
He/She stood her ground for a few moments before showing off her effortless hurdling skills over the fences between the plots: I finally caught this photo as she arrived at Michael’s plot up by the railway line.
Can anyone throw any light on the species and gender?
Val
It’s a roe deer and probably female I think. I often see them in the fields on the other side of the railway line – just beside North Deeside Road. They are lovely but voracious!
Norman
Thanks Val. I was very pleased to catch sight of it, even if it has munched my Chard down to the stems!
Alison
It is very beautiful, but it also seems to be alone which may mean it is stuck our side of the fence. If it stays all winter, and we have a hard one with snow, we could lose more than Norman’s chard because I think it will strip the buds from the fruit trees and possibly trample netted crops to get at them.
I wonder if there’s any way to make it easier to get out – without making it easier for the others to get in – so that it joins the group on the railway line. If that’s the group it’s from.
Norman
I had not thought that possibility Alison. I guess the best we could do would be to leave the bottom (West) gate open for a night or two in the hopes it finds its way out. Of course, the others might find that way in!
Alison
“Of course, the others might find that way in!”
Aye, there’s the rub! Actually, it just occurs to me this minute that the big heap of earth the fence-makers left behind – between the fence and Michael’s plot – must be a ramp for a deer to get out if it wanted to. So it probably isn’t stuck after all.
Norman
Let’s see how it plays out, Alison. I think I noticed something had been having a go at Stuart’s beetroot tops today. As long as it shares its favours about the plots all might be liveable.