SEASONAL-CHANGES IN THE DIET OF RED DEER CERVUS-ELAPHUS IN THE CONNEMARA-NATIONAL-PARK

The food of red deer Cervus elaphus living in an enclosure in the Conn emara National Park was determined by faecal analysis of 50 samples co llected at approximately weekly intervals from June 1985 to June 1986. The vegetation, which was only lightly grazed, was predominantly bog and grassy heath. Grasses were the main food, primarily Festuca ovina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Holcus lanatus, the l ast three being eaten most in summer and least in winter. This reflect ed seasonal availability and/or digestibility. Molinia caerulea, the d ominant grass in the area, was of importance only in early summer when it is most palatable. Ling heather Calluna vulgaris was also a major food, but predominantly in winter, and provided live matter when grass es were an inferior forage. Minor food items (1-3%) were the herb comm on tormentil Potentilla erecta in summer, and sedges (mainly Carex sp. ). Other plant species were detected only occasionally.