On May 26th 2003 we took delivery of 8 yearling red deer, 6 hinds, 2 stags, thus re-introducing red deer to the Isle of Rona.
The deer and advice were supplied by John Fletcher of Reediehill Farm in Achtermuchty, Fife. They were transported through the night to Portree, Skye, where they were sedated and transported by boat to the prepared enclosure at Big Harbour.
The builders on site helping at the new pier and pontoon assisted us by lifting the sedated deer quickly to their new home, where they were given the antidote to their sedative and quickly recovered.
The deer had travelled well and after a few nervous hours settled down. A feeding regime was started and within two weeks three of the deer were feeding out of Bill Cowie's hand. After a month in the enclosure the deer were let out but the feeding continued. The deer stayed around Big Harbour and seldom left the field. A fortnight later the feeding was stopped and within a couple of days the deer started to wander further from the fields.
Initially, it had been estimated that a herd of 18-20 animals would be an optimal amount. Figures have been revised to 35-40 animals, as more data becomes available regarding the grazing impact of the herd. The movement and impact of the deer grazing has been constantly monitored, and by 2009 the original 8 animals have successfully bred to create the optimum herd of 35-40. The next year will see the initiation of a management programme and exciting opportunities for stalking on the island.
RONA DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN 2003
Rona extends to 900ha and is being managed to restore the native woodland
habitat. To achieve this objective, a stock of 500 sheep were mostly removed
in 1992 and moorland management/burning ceased. This has resulted in
significant recovery of existing birchwood habitat, new areas of natural
regenerated and increasingly rank ground vegetation.
In 1994 Highland cattle were introduced for diversification and to graze the
former enclosures and lazybeds. A stocking of 5 to 8 cows 5 calves and 1
bull has been maintained with grazing activity focused at Dry Harbour, Big
Harbour and at the South end of the Island. There has been minimal conflict
with achieving the woodland regeneration objectives which include.
1. Target native woodland stocking density of 1100 stems per ha (minimum
over areas identified in the WGS.
2. Maintenance of up to20% of open ground, particularly around former
settlements.
The importance of 'damage' to trees by domestic stock and wildlife is
assessed in the context of these objectives. In many areas regeneration is
well in excess of 1100 stems/ha and therefore the risk of unacceptable
levels is low ---there being always at least 1100 undamaged trees achieving
the target. Also, not every thing browsed qualifies as 'damage' and even the
removal of the growing tips will not prevent the anticipated woodland
habitat being achieved in the medium term (many of the new trees now growing
after being released from sheep browsing). Existing woods above browsing
level are fully stocked and grazing will not affect the development of these
stands. Areas identified as being managed as open space will benefit from
intensified grazing maintaining a low sward and rich herbaceous field layer.
Climatic change and die-back especially from cold gales in May when leaf
flush has taken place has caused a more adverse effect than by grazing.
Red deer are part of the native woodland habitat in Scotland and it has been
considered desirable to re-introduce 6 breeding hinds onto the land to
create a wider biodiversity. The population will be managed within the
context of the woodland regeneration objectives according to the following
model:
The maximum target population is 18/19 deer, equivalent to 2/Km2. This is
approximately 50% of the normal population level appropriate to native
woodland situations where achieving new regeneration is the major objective.
The movement of the population will be managed particularly in the winter
and early spring months when the risk of damage to the trees is at its
greatest - there being a shortage of other palatable winter vegetation.
Winter feeding (and possible enclosures) at Big Harbour are planned
according to the following feeding regimes.
On arrival on Rona the deer will be held in a 50m x 100m enclosure and fed
daily by hand on feed nuts . Following 4 weeks regular feeding pattern the
deer will be released and it is anticipated that they will continue to feed
at the regular times set. Following a further two weeks the initial feeding
regime will be halted and in the following weeks the deer's movements will
be monitored.
A winter feeding programme will be started from mid to late December until
late April when the first flush of grass appears. The deer will be fed on
deer nuts, and mineral licks will be available. It is anticipated that the
deer will regularly come to the feeding station at 'Rona Lodge' and this
will enable Bill Cowie to monitor the condition of the deer and it may prove
that any marauding deer, which have joined the herd, will be easier to
control.
It is likely that the deer will focus activity on particular
vegetation/habitat types and this will be monitored by:
1. Baseline habitat survey in Yr 1.
2. Construction of enclosures in different habitat types to monitor grazed
and un-grazed field layer.
3. Fixed transects through existing regen' areas (eg; 100m lines) to record
damage levels and regeneration success.
4. Monitoring and recording of deer movement on a quarterly basis.
It is hoped that the deer will assist in the development of a diverse
woodland habitat by grazing of areas and spaces not covered by the Highland
Cattle (or occasional sheep). Trampling will also create niches for new
regeneration and break up an increasingly dense ground vegetation.
The nominated deer controller will be Bill Cowie, Island Manager, Island of
Rona, He will also carry out the monitoring of the population against the
habitat objectives.
A cull record will be maintained and reported annually to the Deer
Commission of Scotland. Monitoring results will be reported to the FC at the
end of the WGS period.
Figures and information based following consultation with John Fletcher M.R.C.V.S, Ph.D & Bruce Taylor BSc.Hons. MICFor.
