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Effect of increasing numbers of deer on bird populations in Wytham Woods, central England
1 Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology, Department of Zoology, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, England
In Wytham Woods, the numbers of deer have increased markedly in recent years and they have had a major impact on the woodland vegetation, both the herb layer and the shrub layer (including the lower branches of trees); they also seriously affect the regeneration of forest trees and the regrowth of coppice. Over the same period, a number of woodland bird species have declined in numbers. The large declines seem to have occurred mainly in those species which nest in low vegetation, especially bramble (Rubus fruticosus). Bramble is an important element of the deer diet and its decline in the woods seems likely to be largely due to deer although canopy closure may also have reduced its abundance. Hence the declines in some bird species may be brought about by the increase in deer numbers. The relevance of this suggestion to other woods is discussed.
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