The social organisation and ecology of the Japanese sika deer (Cervus nippon) in Southern England

Abstract

A variety of field survey techniques, supported by material from culled animals were used to investigate habitat occupation and use, feeding ecology, social structure and behaviour of sika deer in deciduous woodland in Hampshire and amongst coniferous plantations in Dorset. 2. Seasonally changing patterns of habitat occupation were found in the New Forest associated with the seasonally changing nature of the habitat. In Dorset the pattern is seasonally unchanging. 3. The majority of observations were of deer feeding; the choice of habitat coincides not only with feeding requirements, but also shelter. Animals were found lying up for longer and in less exposed sites in the winter. 4. The New Forest deer feed opportunistically and have a varied diet being mainly grazers in the spring and summer and taking coniferous browse in the winter. The diet of the Dorset animals is constant; containing equal and major portions of grass and Calluna. 5. The sex ratio in both areas is four hinds per stag. Fecundity in the New Forest is less than 84%; in Dorset 90%. Calf mortality in Hampshire is 30%. 6. Group size in each forest is affected by vegetation type; smaller groups are found in closed habitats. 7. New Forest stag sightings were plotted and home ranges found to overlap during the rut. No evidence is offered for territorial defence. The structure of the rutting groups seems to be flexible. 8. Severe competition from New Forest ponies is blamed for the lower fecundity and nutritional stress in the Hampshire sika deer.

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