Yesterday evening myself and my young son spotted a young deer bounding across the play area on Maudland Bank, behind UCLAN’s Media Factory. It was an amazing sight to see a wild animal within such a heavily populated area. As it sprang off in the direction of Fylde Road I wondered if sightings of deer were common within Preston and if we see it again should we report it? James Ellaby of Lancashire Wildlife Trust explained more.

“It’s not unusual to see them straying into more populated areas that are close to their natural habitat, but it’s certainly a rare sighting that far into the city. There are lots of wild roe deer in the woodlands around Preston and you have a good chance of spotting them at the new Brockholes nature reserve just off junction 31 of the M6.”

Why would a deer come into the centre of the city?

“Around this time of year is when young deer leave their mothers and venture out on their own for the first time, so this could have been an exploratory adventure rather than a deer looking for food. If you spot a deer in an unusual place, you can report it to the Lancashire Environment Record Network.
Should people approach wild animals such as deer, should they feed the animals or will they be able to forage for food themselves – even in such built up areas?

“You shouldn’t approach a wild animal no matter where it is. If the deer is in distress or you have concerns about it, you should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”

Image Credit: Roe Deer at Brockholes Nature Reserve by Terry Jolly