Deer management at Ashridge Estate 2

The magnificent, ancient landscape of the Ashridge Ashridge Estate Estate is specially protected for the variety of habitats and species found here. The woodlands, commons, parkland and chalk downland are home to a wealth of plants, birds, bats, butterflies and other invertebrates, many of which are rare in the wider countryside. The woodland is recognised as being of international importance and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation. This means we are required by law to care for the environment in a way that allows this wide variety of flora and fauna to flourish.

Sallow Copse 3

The history of deer at Ashridge Deer were introduced to Ashridge Over the centuries the park was free to roam across the landscape. in 1283 when a monastery was expanded, but the deer remained Since then, the deer have travelled founded on the site where Ashridge within this fenced enclosure until widely in the landscape, crossing 1925 when the estate was broken land owned by many landowners House now stands. A deer park up and sold off. and are truly wild animals. was built surrounding the At the time of the sale, the fences monastery and fallow deer were enclosing the park were removed brought in, kept within a fenced and the fallow deer were released enclosure and hunted for food. into the surrounding countryside, 4

Types of deer found at Ashridge There are two types of deer Muntjac deer also live at Ashridge, at Ashridge Estate - Fallow they are small and stocky and are and Muntjac. sometimes mistaken for wild boar. Originally brought in from Asia, it is Fallow deer are medium-sized, the thought that Muntjac deer may have largest reaching nearly 1m at the escaped from Woburn in the late shoulders. Bucks (male deer) can be 19th century and are now recognised by their distinctive antlers widespread across much of . with a broad flat centre. They are a solitary species so you will never see them moving as a herd. Fallow deer come in a variety of colours. You’re most likely to see the dark, or melanistic, deer at Ashridge, but tan, spotty, or even white deer can also be seen.

Fallow deer in the Old Dairy Field 5

How deer impact woodland Unfortunately, a large deer following on behind them. This rich population does have an mix of woodland is essential to impact on woodland. Deer provide vital habitat for a huge range of birds, insects and other animals feed extensively on young and sadly is under threat due to the trees (saplings) which would high numbers of deer that live on otherwise grow into mature the estate. trees, and on the shoots and Much of the woodland at Ashridge leaves of thorny scrub is ancient woodland, with some trees species which prevents them dating back more than 500 years. It from growing into a dense contains an irreplaceable wealth of and varied shrub layer. fungi, invertebrates and flowers that aren’t found in newer woodlands. A strong, healthy and diverse Many of the special plants have been woodland should contain trees and decimated by the deer in the past, shrubs of a variety of ages, from but are now beginning to show some dense scrub to the medium and large encouraging small signs of recovery old trees, for which Ashridge is famed due to our current management and loved. As young sapling trees are regime. prevented from growing to maturity, the woodlands are becoming Since being released from the deer increasingly even-aged. park and without a natural predator, the population increased rapidly. It This lack of diversity puts the future has become necessary to manage the of the woodland at risk because all deer population to ensure the future these trees will reach old age at the of biodiversity of this ancient same time with no younger trees landscape. Browsing on tree saplings prevents them from growing to maturity 6

How we monitor deer Every year, we undertake We also carry out two counts of are does (females) of breeding age. Our deer management decisions are rigorous deer impact the deer population each year - Most of these produce a new fawn based on the impact that the deer assessments. In other words, we one manual count and one thermal each year, so the herd size can and are having in the landscape, rather imaging count. However, the deer does increase very rapidly. than the number of deer present at go out and meticulously record at Ashridge are wild and roam any one time. We also know from This year we commissioned external the actual impact that the deer freely across the landscape to our neighbouring farmers that deer consultants, the Deer Initiative, to are having on our landscape. neighbouring land far beyond our damage to crops is a very significant carry out a detailed survey of the These assessments look at the borders, so it is impossible to get issue for them. The increased cull impact of deer across the estate. an accurate number. has brought about an improvement regrowth of new trees and plants, This report confirms that despite an that we want to maintain. tracks and footprints (or ‘slots’), The counts are carried out in spring, increased cull in recent years, deer dung, couches (laying up areas), before the fawns are born in June. activity is still a real threat to * browse lines are created by deer on trees and shrubs when they have eaten all the leaves nibbled vegetation and browse At present at least a third of the Ashridge. from ground level up to the maximum height lines* across the woodland. deer regularly seen on the estate that a deer can reach

Browse lines clearly on the trees at Ashridge Trees in woodlands without large numbers of deer grow leaves all the way to the ground 7

Why we need to manage the population The woodlands at Ashridge Deer have been culled at Ashridge longer feeding on toxic laurel and woodlands. Numbers of violet are specially protected by for the last 50 years, however the rhododendron leaves, are heavier and helleborine orchids are at their highest UK and European law and population has continued to grow better fed as there is less competition for 20 years. Greater stitchwort, significantly putting the estate at risk for food. moschatel, dog violets, primroses, we have a particular from irreparable damage. In 2015 we and woodland ferns have all showed responsibility to care for Injured, sick and elderly deer are introduced a deer management plan removed from the herd. We make sure signs of recovery. Many of these the health of the forest and to try to limit the impact of the deer that a balanced age distribution of plants are important sources of early the wildlife that relies upon on the woodlands. In recent years we deer remains within the herd to allow spring nectar for insects. These are all it. This includes limiting have been culling higher numbers of for natural hierarchical relationships positive signs that the plan is working the damage that the deer deer to try to bring the population to be maintained. but there is still a long way to go. under control. do to young tree saplings We have started to see signs of We are committed to maintaining a and wild flowers through Since we introduced the deer recovery with a reduction in browsing healthy herd of deer at Ashridge for uncontrolled browsing. management plan the health of the on tree saplings and an increase in the generations to come, but do need deer has improved and the animals are variety of plant species, particularly to make sure that high numbers don’t now in better condition. They are no those associated with ancient put the woodland at risk.

Bluebells enclosed behind a fence grow larger and stronger when deer are excluded from the area 8

How we agree Alternatives the annual deer to culling management plan Deer management is a necessary part of our conservation work. The information gathered from Research has been carried out in the the deer impact surveys and the USA and Europe into contraceptive population count is reviewed by methods but there is no feasible way a panel of nature conservation to administer contraception to a specialists from within the National herd of wild deer that roam freely Trust. They have an in-depth across the countryside. Attempting understanding of how we should to capture a wild deer to administer manage the land we care for to an injection would not only cause ensure that we meet our statutory considerable stress to the animal, requirements and enable the widest but with such a large population, possible range of species to thrive. would not be practicable. It is not This panel will agree on the number possible to approach wild deer within by which the herd should be reduced the range that darts can travel. in order to limit the impact on the estate. This number is under constant review to ensure that the welfare of the herd is maintained at all times.

The regrowth on this coppice stool has been munched for several consecutive years, preventing the development of the shrub layer. 9

Our deer stalkers

The deer management process is contracted The stalkers work from the roadsides into out to external, professional deer stalkers the forest to try to reduce the chances of following a strict tender process. deer running onto roads. Quadbikes are used to safely retrieve carcasses from the They operate to the very highest safety land. Vehicles are never used to herd or standards. They are all highly skilled drive deer into the path of the stalkers. marksmen who hold a level 2 Deer Stalking Certificate, a current firearms certificate We updated our procedure several years and are licensed by us to shoot on National ago to require that all of the main carcass Trust land. and body parts of a culled deer are removed from the site. It remains true however, that An independent, qualified expert puts every the ‘gralloch’ (intestines and stomach) of member of the team through a skills culled deer are usually buried on site, away affirmation test every year and we also carry from main paths. This is common practice out an inspection on their firearm. for deer stalkers across the country. Ashridge is an entirely open landscape with Occasionally, as a result of a deer fatality hundreds of access points. The stalkers caused by a road traffic accident, or as a work in pairs and use rigorous methods to result of illegal poachers, people and their ensure that every shot is a safe shot. dogs may find parts of deer whilst out Our stalkers all wear an armband with a walking. If you see or suspect poaching we identification card in it. All would urge you to report it immediately to vehicles they use have a National Trust the police. If you are able to safely take badge on them. down registration numbers that’s useful but you should never put yourself at risk. The deer cull usually begins in early November and lasts until early February We never sell licenses for people to shoot at with a short break over Christmas. The Ashridge. The deer management that takes stalkers work from dawn to dusk place in our woodland is carried out for throughout this period. Signage is put up conservation reasons by professional deer on the estate when it is taking place. stalkers.

Dog violets growing in the Ashridge woodlands 10

Changes in deer behaviour The increase in culling in This is entirely natural behaviour This change in behaviour has led recent years has led to a and how you would expect wild deer some visitors to think that there change in the behaviour to behave. Parkland deer, which are are very few deer left on the estate. kept within a fenced area, behave However, this really isn’t the case; of the deer. They’re moving differently and are less cautious. they are just reverting back to through the landscape in It’s not usual to be able to get up behaviour that is more natural smaller groups, avoiding close to a large herd of deer grazing for a herd of wild deer. human contact, staying in broad daylight outside of a away from roads and only fenced deer park. grazing on open land at dusk or under the cover of darkness. 11

Seeing deer on the estate

We do understand that people are seeing the deer less often. For those wishing to see deer, we’d recommend walking quietly and keeping dogs on a short lead. Choose parts of the estate that are away from roads and well used tracks. The best times of day to see deer are at dawn and dusk when they are most active. Deer are surprisingly hard to see within the tree canopy and it’s possible to pass very close to them without seeing them – you need to keep your eyes peeled. Peer though the trunks of the trees into the darkest places, looking for the give-away flick of a tail or the glint of a bright eye. The deer here continue to be in excellent health and we remain committed to them remaining an important and highly valued part of this beautiful place.

Follow deer at Old Copse 12

Do we sell the venison?

We sell the venison that arises from the cull. Retail cuts are available from the National Trust shop from mid-November. The income generated by venison sales is significantly less than the cost of the management. We do not gain financially from the cull.

Thunderdell Wood 13

Ashridge Estate – For ever, for everyone

We’ve recently produced a 20 year We’ll also be creating space for more Woodland Management Plan. The scrub, young trees and flowering plan was produced in consultation plants to establish within the with statutory bodies including woodland to ensure that we provide Natural England, Historic England food, pollen and shelter for the and the Forestry Commission, as well birds, butterflies, bees and bats as local stakeholders and partners. that make Ashridge their home. One of the main focusses of this plan This is all part of our work to meet is to restore ancient woodland sites our obligations to protect this which were inappropriately planted very special and precious habitat. with conifers some 50 to 70 years If you have any further queries ago. Over the next few years we’ll be relating to our deer management removing conifers and replanting with practices you can email us at native broadleaved species. Some of [email protected] the replanted sections will be fenced or call 01442 841800. initially to protect them from deer and give the young saplings the best chance of becoming established. The native species that we’ll be planting will support a much wider and more diverse range of insects, birds and flowering plants than the conifers that we’re removing.

Bluebells in Dockey Wood Ashridge Estate

Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Near , , HP4 1LT Telephone 01442 841800 Email [email protected]

Photography: ©National Trust Images / ©National Trust 2019. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846