The neighbours popped in
By Fleur
@Fleura (30541)
United Kingdom
October 18, 2023 6:48am CST
We live next to an area of woodland where there are some deer. Sadly most of the deer we see are the invasive Muntjac species. At least one of these strolls through our garden almost every afternoon.
So it’s quite exciting to see some actual native roe deer. For the last three days these two have been visiting to clear up some of the fallen apples. After that they have been enjoying a dessert of roses and geraniums. I think they are probably a mother with her almost-grown-up offspring. It’s nice to see them enjoying a stroll under the fruit trees - even if they do nibble my roses!
Sorry for the blurry photo – must get the decent camera ready for next time!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2023.
16 people like this
16 responses
@DaddyEvil (137786)
• United States
18 Oct 23
You could become famous in the UK as the lady that yells at the deer to get off you lawn. 
4 people like this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 23
For a long time I wondered why our hardy geraniums never seemed to flower 
Then I saw all the stems with the tops neatly bitten off.
I don't mind them nibbling the roses, I have some very vigorous ones outside the window which they like and those can easily tolerate a bit of browsing.
Then I saw all the stems with the tops neatly bitten off.
I don't mind them nibbling the roses, I have some very vigorous ones outside the window which they like and those can easily tolerate a bit of browsing.1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
19 Oct 23
@LadyDuck We have a LOT of slugs too, leopard slugs, black slugs, red slugs, field slugs, greenhouse slugs, yellow slugs, cellar slugs and various species of keeled slugs - yuk! The large red ones are the worst, they are absolutely monstrous, I swear I can hear them biting my vegetables 
Just reading about the different species, I didn't realise that those huge ones were only introduced from Spain and Portugal in the 1950s. No wonder I don't remember having to deal with them years ago.
Just reading about the different species, I didn't realise that those huge ones were only introduced from Spain and Portugal in the 1950s. No wonder I don't remember having to deal with them years ago.1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 23
For nine years we lived in this same village, on the main road. We would walk in the woods and hope to see deer but in all that time we only saw any twice.
Since moving here (less than a mile away) we see them almost every day. And I realise that the reason we didn't see any in the woods is because they are all in the gardens!
Sorry you're not feeling too good, hope you will be better soon.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50590)
• United States
18 Oct 23
@Fleura A deer is a deer to me. This is the most recent one.
This is the most recent one.1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
18 Oct 23
@Tampa_girl7 White-tailed deer maybe? They look quite big.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
19 Oct 23
what a delightful treat to've some natives visit yer place. hopefully the apples 'll keep 'em satisfied more so'n the roses. 'lways some pitfalls with wild critters 'round. they see such's a well kept buffet, fully stocked :)
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
19 Oct 23
@Fleura aw, bless 'em 'n yerself. they're seekin' foods with certain nutrients that perhaps they aint 'd luck findin' out'n the wild. deer can be quite destructive to flower beds, fruit trees 'n herb gardens to's humans.
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
19 Oct 23
They sure do! I don't really mind them picking bits off the roses or nibbling the lower leaves of the apple trees - there's plenty there. But it's not so great when they eat all the flower buds off the geraniums. I can hardly remember what colour those flowers are supposed to be!!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (161010)
• United States
19 Oct 23
I love imagining them feasting in your garden.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (47724)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Oct 23
I just get squirrels, birds and the odd free-range cat, but they all seem to want to dig up my flower beds.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182458)
• United States
18 Oct 23
I see deer here periodically in the yard. You never quite know when they are going to make an appearance.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (138003)
• India
19 Oct 23
I did not know there were different types of deer and there could be some that are invasive. In what way would they be invasive?
1 person likes this
@Fleura (30541)
• United Kingdom
19 Oct 23
Well, they originate from southern China and were introduced to Woburn abbey from where they escaped (of course!) and were also deliberately released several times between the mid 1800s and the 1930s. Their numbers are increasing very fast and they are considered one of the most destructive non-native animals in Britain, damaging native woodland plants.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16797)
• China
18 Oct 23
I envy you frequently seeing some wild animals such as roe deer ! Those animals seem not to be afraid of human beings.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (182239)
• United States
18 Oct 23
Great photo. How do you recognize the Muntjac deer? Hope you have a good day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (182239)
• United States
18 Oct 23
@Fleura Interesting. Thanks so much for the picture.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5044)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
18 Oct 23
We occasionally see deer at the back of our yard. We've also seen wild turkeys, foxes, raccoons and opossums. The squirrels and chipmunks are too numerous to be a novelty.
1 person likes this
