possible exception of areas in the extreme north. Roe deer from Germany were
released in Suffolk, near Thetford, in the late nineteenth century (Noble, 1903).
The descendants of these deer are now extremely numerous in Thetford Chase
and they have gradually spread south through Suffolk, Beale (1974) recording
fair numbers as far south as Lineage Wood (TL8848) at Long Melford and
Stanstead Great Wood (TL8548) at Stanstead, only 3-6 km north of the Essex
border. Roe deer have been present in north Essex since about 1963 but even
now, 13 years later, they are far from common in the county. These animals are
probably pioneering individuals and it seems likely that in the future, roe deer
will become more common in the county.
Sika Deer
None of the post-1964 records of wild sika deer in Essex can be sub-
stantiated. Fallow deer abound in all the areas where sika were reported and it
is probable that fallow deer were incorrectly identified as sika. The sika deer
reputed to be in Hatfield Forest remains a mystery. The photograph was said to
have been taken in mid-July but the animal was in winter coat, with a shaggy
mane and hard antlers. Sika stags usually have hard antlers only from Sep-
tember to April (Horwood & Masters, 1970) and so the photograph itself is a
mystery. Perhaps the animal was an escapee from one of the nearby wildlife
parks at Stanstead or Widdington. The nearest wild sika deer are probably
those in the New Forest in Hampshire although there may be feral animals in
Kent (see Corbet, 1971).
General discussion
At a time when there is probably more talk than ever before about the need
to conserve our flora and fauna, it is pleasant to be able to report that the Essex
countryside has never been so well off for deer as it is today. Wild deer are now
common over much of north and west Essex, whereas at the turn of the century
they were restricted to Epping Forest and adjoining estates. Four species are
present today whereas only one, the fallow, was present 50 years ago. The main
part of the Essex Deer Survey was carried out, fortuitously, just in time to
enable the spread of muntjac and red deer in the county to be dated with some
accuracy. Unfortunately, much of the spread of fallow probably took place or
was well under way by the time the Survey started. Deer have become more
widespread in Essex despite the great increase in urban development and
mobility of the population that has occurred this century. In fact, deer are living
in extraordinary close proximity to towns. Both wild fallow and muntjac are
frequently seen, and breed, in Latton Park and Mark Bushes situated adjacent
to Harlow New Town with its 80,000 inhabitants. Appreciable numbers of wild
fallow deer may be seen from houses on the edge of Harold Hill and Harold
Wood, situated within the boundary of Greater London. By contrast, the fallow
deer in Epping Forest have declined greatly over the last couple of decades, the
animals having moved largely to adjoining estates. This decline has been at-
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