Muntjac Effect

Sunday February 20 

We have managed the Muntjac intrusion into our garden for the last six or so years. Even when we had to buy new netting and a frame to protect the Sweetcorn - and he ate a hole in the netting to get at it. We reached the bottom line when one started eating shrubs and flowers down to the ground.

John, next door neighbour, was having his garden fenced, we decided, very reluctantly, to fence the bottom of ours. Especially after the digger's work last week.

We hate it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I took the photo through driving rain, from the sun lounge doorway.

The fence foreshortens the garden, and cuts us off from the truly wild. Friend Kath, who spent years tracking and studying Muntjac in Essex, tells us that these introduced deer can get through very small spaces and jump very high.Steve, our building man, says that he's done the research and the height of ours is appropriate. I still have lingering doubts. 

The approach of Spring is apparent, despite two bad storms, another on its way, which has affected the rest of the country, especially the south west and north, much more than us.The Acacia/Mimosa/Wattle tree is in golden tight bloom, swathes of Snowdrops in the beds, Alpine Irises in the raised bed, miniature Narcissi and Winter Aconites in the front border. 

And Man U have beaten Leeds 4-2.