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Newsflash - July 2008
This year Roe Deer have arrived in the Old Cemetery. A female was first spotted on 11 June and there have been many subsequent sightings. A male was seen on 1 July so we can assume there may be several individuals there at present. It is believed they have come from Lords Wood, via the Sports Centre and the Common. The Hawthorns Wildlife Centre also report additional sightings on the Common. Although there had been the occasional sighting on the Common in the past, it was believed that the high numbers of dogs being exercised there had made it unsuitable for deer to remain there. They had never been recorded in the Old Cemetery. So, this may be the year when they have finally colonised both the Common and Old Cemetery on a permanent basis. Only time will tell. The Old Cemetery in particular should be a suitable area for them with plenty of suitable cover and a wide variety of habitats. Deer are renowned for damaging saplings and foresters have to provide expensive protection to prevent this. In the Old Cemetery, however, the deer are most welcome to munch their way through as many saplings as they like.
John Vetterlein, July 2008
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