With no natural predators and a reduction in culling Deer numbers in the forest have risen sharply over recent years. And, as beautiful as the Deer are, and as wonderful as it is so see large herds of them grazing or sweeping through the stands, they a remarkably destructive. Naturally their habits and habitats would be defined, in part, by their predators as is well illustrated in 'how wolves change rivers' (see link below) as is how this would have a much wider effect on the natural environment. Today I climbed the 7 foot Deer fencing and entered one of the protected enclosures dotted about the forest. What a difference. I was given a tiny insight into how rewilding might work; of course in no way was I seeing the true magnificence of such a project, no, just a glimpse. The understory of the woodland was thicker, more vibrant, there were lower branches on trees (something all but missing from open areas of the forest where Deer (and ponies) over graze), but most noticeable were the numbers of saplings, again something of a rarity in open areas. The dense nature of the woodland gave it a wild feel, orientating yourself and negotiating the woodland were difficult and I'd imagine navigating in an extended wildwood would be difficult. As I said, only a glimpse of what could be, but it set my mind to thinking of what could be and how wonderful that might be.
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