Table 2. Fallow deer seen by two groups of observers on estates to the north-
west of Epping Forest on 4 January 1966. Only deer with hard antlers are
recorded as males, all others as females. Numbers marked with an asterisk (*)
are not included in the total as the deer were probably counted again later.
whole area thoroughly; the Copped Hall estate in particular was inadequately
covered, but at least 61 different fallow were seen (Table 2). In addition, 10
fallow (3 bucks, 7 does) were seen on the same day in the Latton Park-Mark
Bushes area. By contrast, only 4-7 deer were seen by the keepers in Epping
Forest during their census on that day.
The Epping Forest group of fallow deer merged with the group centred on
Navestockside, to the north-west of Brentwood. The fallow in Wintry Wood (the
Lower Forest) and the Gaynes Park area, to the north and east of Epping
respectively, providing the link between the two groups. The Navestockside
group of fallow deer ranged from Stanford Rivers, Curtismill Green and
Stapleford Abbots in the west to Doddinghurst in the east and South Weald to
the south. Fallow were seen frequently on the narrow strip of agricultural land
and woods which is sandwiched between the built-up areas of Harold Hill and
Brentwood (Plate IV). Although the deer were seen feeding on the Brook Street
roundabout situated above the Brentwood by-pass (A12); they were rarely found
south of this road. Records of fallow deer from Thorndon Park and adjacent
woodlands to the south of Brentwood were infrequent. Northwards, the fallow
did not regularly range further than Stondon Massey, only isolated records
being obtained from the Ongars.
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