A midnight feast in the orchard



      We have a lot of deer, Muntjac, Roe and Fallow, in the orchards that I walk through with the two Jack Russell Terriers but we seldom see them unless it is very earl morning or deep into the dusk. We know that they are there because of the tell-tale signs that they leave. This bark stripping exercise and feast has been carried out on a fallen branch that came down because of the gales a month or so ago.


      There are plenty of cloven hoof prints in soft ground, paths are worn and the signs of a leisurely midnight feast on tree bark. I don't know if this gnawing is for nourishment or tooth cleaning and honing but signs of the chewed bark fairly glow whether it is sunny or dull. The farmer is going to buy a trail camera where filming is activated by the breaking of a beam so then we'll see just what the through traffic of wildlife is like.
      I'll report back and hopefully get a still or two from the camera.



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