The Sika deer of Dorset
Created | Updated Feb 14, 2007
Sika deer,cervus nippon,are native to Asia.They were introduced to Britain in 1860 at Regents Park.The deer first arrived in Dorset at Hyde House Park,north of Wareham in 1895http://www.enjoyengland.com/where/destinations/south-west/dorset/wareham.aspx At about the same time they were also placed on Brownsea Islandhttp://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-brownseaisland/It is generally thought that a large quantity of Sika escaped by swimming ashore on their first night of release, and, settled in the Poole Harbour Basin.Arnehttp://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/index.asp being a typical example,The heathland and woodland there being perfect for their nature.
Description.Sika deer have a reddish brown coat with white spots in the summer months.They have a short white tail and white rump.
Habitat.Woodland and heath.
Diet,Grasses,sedges,heather,bark and fungi.
Behavior.Most active at dusk,usually solitary,wih exception of the mating season.This takes place between August and October.At this time,the males make a whistling sound,this can be heard from 1 Kilometer away.For other soundshttp://www.deer-uk.com/deer_Sounds.htm If you are walking in the woods and hear the shreaking sounds it can be terrifying,it is as if a blood curdling crime has been commited especially if it is followed by the 'yak yak'noise,this sounds like a witch cackling!
The male of the species has 4 pointed antlers which are shed during April and May.
During the second world war the M.O.D.took over Hyde House Park and released all the deer.They have settled well into many areas of S.E.Dorset
In the New Forest, a pair of Sika were given to John 2nd.Baron Montague of Beaulieu by Edward VII.this pair escaped into Sowley wood,a second pair also escaped into Ashen wood.This was the base for the large herds of Sika to be found in the forest.They were so prolific culling had to be introduced in the 1930s.
Sika Deer are held sacred in Japan,but in China they are hunted for their antlers which are used in medicine
Description.Sika deer have a reddish brown coat with white spots in the summer months.They have a short white tail and white rump.
Habitat.Woodland and heath.
Diet,Grasses,sedges,heather,bark and fungi.
Behavior.Most active at dusk,usually solitary,wih exception of the mating season.This takes place between August and October.At this time,the males make a whistling sound,this can be heard from 1 Kilometer away.For other soundshttp://www.deer-uk.com/deer_Sounds.htm If you are walking in the woods and hear the shreaking sounds it can be terrifying,it is as if a blood curdling crime has been commited especially if it is followed by the 'yak yak'noise,this sounds like a witch cackling!
The male of the species has 4 pointed antlers which are shed during April and May.
During the second world war the M.O.D.took over Hyde House Park and released all the deer.They have settled well into many areas of S.E.Dorset
In the New Forest, a pair of Sika were given to John 2nd.Baron Montague of Beaulieu by Edward VII.this pair escaped into Sowley wood,a second pair also escaped into Ashen wood.This was the base for the large herds of Sika to be found in the forest.They were so prolific culling had to be introduced in the 1930s.
Sika Deer are held sacred in Japan,but in China they are hunted for their antlers which are used in medicine
