Who among us can fail to see potential in wildlife watching?
COUNTRY FILE
MANY had found the nationwide cull of Ireland’s deer distasteful, to say the least. At least that initial lust for blood has abated somewhat, and after the initial flurry of all-out slaughter we still have appreciable numbers of deer around.
These are wiser than they were before. Whereas some might tolerate people within a hundred paces of their grazing, now almost all exhibit the fear and terror of man hinted in the pages of the Bible.
They do their utmost to stay out of sight, only coming out to feed in the hours between dusk and dawn, and living very much on their nerves even then.
And if we wish to see them, that is when we should be out there as well.
Where would be the best place to go? The original stronghold of red deer in this county was around Bellacorick, where extensive conifer plantations provide a secure refuge during daylight hours, and where rich feeding can be found along the many streams that drain that vast, boggy area.
Fortunately for the deer, those streams provide an abundance of minerals that are essential for animal health, including those needed if the stags are to develop good, large, strong antlers for which they are renowned.
One positive outcome from this cull, which is ongoing and active, is that good numbers of red deer were driven out from their home areas into adjoining land where they hadn’t been encountered for a great many years. Now these are far more widespread, with small populations on the outskirts of Castlebar and even further to the south.
The same is true for the smaller and far less interesting fallow deer. Now, if there should be any drop-off in hunting effort, fallow populations will likely explode, greatly exacerbating the problems associated with this non-native species.
I know this has been said before, but it bears repeating: in parts of Europe, wildlife watching has proved an enduring and valuable string to the tourist bow. Even in parts of the UK, a number of tour operators are offering specific deer-watching days. Typically travelling on public roads in off-road vehicles (for an authentic African-type safari feel), these offer full- or half-day trips. Further, these have brought lucrative spin-offs for the local communities that must tolerate the presence of deer if the tours are to remain viable.
Because hunting pressure has lessened in the areas which host these tours, the animals are far easier to find and not difficult to approach. Closer to home, where they still being hammered at every opportunity, all the average person might see of a red deer is disappearing rump and a clean pair of heels.
For instance, last weekend we walked over the bog at Keenagh, close to Crossmolina, hoping to find red deer for ourselves. We found the sound of large things moving in the bushes – I guess they were the animals we were looking for, doing their utmost to remain out of sight.
What appeared to be a small cow appeared some 300 yards away in the distance. Using binoculars, we could see this was a fine red hind with a calf of just a few weeks age at heel. The hind was an impressive creature – deep shouldered, strong and well-muscled. The calf was pretty to an extraordinary degree, with its gingery coat liberally covered with cream-coloured spots.
Both animals happened to see us at the same moment. There was that long pause as they stood motionless and stared, then the sudden and totally unnecessary sprint for cover. We had watched them for only a minute. We could have stayed far longer.
Who among us can fail to see the potential?