Effect of increasing numbers of deer on bird populations in Wytham Woods, central England

In Wytham Woods, the numbers of deer have increased markedly in recent year s and they have had a major impact on the woodland vegetation, both the her b layer and the shrub layer (including the lower branches of trees); they a lso seriously affect the regeneration of forest trees and the regrowth of c oppice. Over the same period, a number of woodland bird species have declin ed in numbers. The large declines seem to have occurred mainly in those spe cies which nest in low vegetation, especially bramble (Rubus fruticosus). B ramble is an important element of the deer diet and its decline in the wood s seems likely to be largely due to deer although canopy closure may also h ave reduced its abundance. Hence the declines in some bird species may be b rought about by the increase in deer numbers. The relevance of this suggest ion to other woods is discussed.