For generations, roe and fallow deer made their home on Brownsea. The Sika deer is a relatively recent arrival.

Sika deer were introduced from Japan in 1896, but, during the terrible fire of 1934, virtually all of the deer population swam to the mainland or died.

During the 1970s, the sika swam back, and have grown in numbers since then.

They cause considerable damage to young trees.

As with squirrels, sika deer can be difficult to spot. They spend most of their day in dense areas of rhododendrons or reedbeds.