Deer are a treasured part of the UK’s wildlife. They are graceful animals that many of us enjoy seeing in the countryside. In a balanced ecosystem, deer play an important role in maintaining open areas that support biodiversity.

However, in the UK, deer populations have grown far beyond natural levels. This is largely because their natural predators, such as wolves, lynx, and bears, have long been extinct. Without these natural checks, deer numbers have risen to a point where their habitat can no longer support them sustainably.

This overpopulation has a serious impact on woodlands and the wildlife that depend on them. Deer can have a particularly damaging effect on young woodlands where overgrazing can prevent the woodlands from regenerating naturally.

Deer browsing damages, and often kills saplings. By altering the density of the woodland and reducing food sources, deer reduce the diversity of plants and animals. This impacts many birds such as robin, wren, blackcap, and more vulnerable birds like nightingale, nightjar, and woodcock who rely on dense vegetation for both cover and food. For similar reasons, overgrazing also damages the woodland habitats of a number of red listed mammals, including the hazel dormouse and the barbastelle bat.

At Avon Needs Trees, we are committed to creating thriving woodlands and restoring ecosystems for both nature and climate. Unfortunately high deer numbers contribute to soil degradation and increased carbon release, undermining efforts to combat climate change. That’s why we work with a professional deer stalker on our sites, an approach carefully considered by our expert board of trustees and site team, based on strong ecological evidence about the impact of deer overpopulation on young woodlands.

Our efforts to control deer numbers ensure that our woodlands, and the many species that depend on them, can thrive. This includes the deer themselves, as unchecked populations can lead to suffering through disease, starvation, and increased competition for dwindling food sources.

For us, loving nature means taking care of the environment as a whole, and we believe that restoring natural balance is key to creating the resilient, biodiverse landscapes of the future.