Fence Drilling has begun

Yesterday volunteers Don, Murph, Allan and Wayne met with Bernie Sagriff and Joe from Newburgh (the amazing driller) to begin drilling holes for our 10 foot steel fence posts.

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Eight hours later the job is almost 2/3 done and approximately 120 fence posts are standing! Our hopes are to complete the process on Sunday, April 29 if weather permits.

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It was a long, dusty and loud day at the new reserve. Thanks to Don's excellent planning and the labour of all the volunteer work crews prior to Thursday, the task went relatively smoothly. Thanks also to Murph for the use of the tractor.

Biology of Fallow Deer

Fallow deer (Cervus dama)

The fallow deer originally lived only in the Mediterranean lands and the Middle East. It has been introduced to most European countries, North and South America and New Zealand.This medium sized deer stands about 91-97 cm high at the shoulder; males weigh 80-125 kg, females 35-41 kg. The fur colour is highly variable, ranging from reddish brown to almost black and sometimes also white. It is covered with white spots in both young and adult deer. In some individuals the white spots become indistinct in winter, in others they remain visible. In their first years, bucks have spiky antlers, but when they are 3-4 years old they develop antlers with broad, palmate areas. Fallow deer inhabit deciduous and mixed woodlands on open, flat or gently rolling terrain. Their food consists of grasses, herbs, leaves, fruits and in winter also the bark of trees. Most activity takes place at dusk and dawn.

Bucks are fully grown at 6 years. In captivity, fallow deer may reach an age of maximum 25 years, in the wild their lifespan is 11-15 years.

Visit http://www.dierinbeeld.nl/animal_files/mammals/deer/#shamanism for more information about deer mythology and other interesting thoughts.

The Clearing Team

Saturday was a fine sunny day and a group of dedicated volunteers headed to the new reserve site to diminish an old farmer's dump and start the process of clearing brush and trees away from the proposed fence line.

Many, many thanks to Rick, Joe, Duncan, Dayna, Luke, Austin, Dylan, Jason, Greg, Ben, Mike, Annie, Wayne and Murph who joined Allan, Jane and Don to help transform the deer's new home to a safe place. With great teamwork, much was accomplished. So far, four loads of metal debris made their way off the land to be recycled and the rest is sorted.

Thanks to Wendy for making us all a great lunch! Thanks to the bucks who showed up to meet the volunteers as part of the "reward" for work well done.