Sika deer in East Lothian and lower Tweed

[Mungo]

I’d be very grateful if people could give an indication of whether they’ve seen or have reason to believe sika have crossed the Lanmermuirs or are below the Ettrick/Tweed junction.

I know the BDS map has sika in East Lothian, but I’m certain those are misidentified fallow.

PM if you’re not comfortable disclosing on open forum.

The background here is that I’ve been approached to assess rate of spread, and I’m not sure there’s any better data than the observations of the people on the ground tasked to shoot them…

 

[Rake Aboot]

Nope
No sign of them in East Lothian anywhere.

 

[Mungo]

Nope
No sign of them in East Lothian anywhere.

I was hoping you’d get involved.

Thank you!

I wonder if they’ll ever make it over the lammermuirs.

 

[Rake Aboot]

I doubt it
The can’t make it over toward Bowland ( which I’d love )
Mainly cause the contractors in the tweed valley hit them on sight.
They haven’t appeared towards Yair either which you would expect.
The fact they can’t get a foothold in those areas means they will never see the lammermuirs.

 

[Mungo]

I doubt it
The can’t make it over toward Bowland ( which I’d love )
Mainly cause the contractors in the tweed valley hit them on sight.
They haven’t appeared towards Yair either which you would expect.
The fact they can’t get a foothold in those areas means they will never see the lammermuirs.

I once saw what I thought was sika on the edge of the wood above Stobshiel reservoir, but I was a long way off, and only partially certain.

Possibly more likely, I’ve seen footprints at Crookston that looked too big to be roe.

 

[Rake Aboot]

There have been escapee reds in the lammermuirs

 

[slider]

Plenty in Tweed valley but never heard of them venturing into the Lothians

 

[Mungo]

Plenty in Tweed valley but never heard of them venturing into the Lothians

Midlothian, yes.

Enough people who know what they’re talking about claim to have seen the odd one as far up as Penicuik estate. And at least 2 people claim to have seen one in Roslin Glen.

I’ve seen a dead one by the side of the road just south of Leadburn on the 701. And I think it’s likely that they’re fully established in Deepsyke.

 

[slider]

Midlothian, yes.

Enough people who know what they’re talking about claim to have seen the odd one as far up as Penicuik estate. And at least 2 people claim to have seen one in Roslin Glen.

I’ve seen a dead one by the side of the road just south of Leadburn on the 701. And I think it’s likely that they’re fully established in Deepsyke.

Yes, definitely in Deepsyke. Portmore Fallow have been known to range over to Penicuik but never heard of Sika there. That's not to say it's impossible mind!

 

[doric_prince]

Midlothian, yes.

Enough people who know what they’re talking about claim to have seen the odd one as far up as Penicuik estate. And at least 2 people claim to have seen one in Roslin Glen.

I’ve seen a dead one by the side of the road just south of Leadburn on the 701. And I think it’s likely that they’re fully established in Deepsyke.

Yeh. I thought I saw a dead one on the roadside next to the community woods bit, just south of leadburn a few months back.

 

[Mungo]

Yes, definitely in Deepsyke. Portmore Fallow have been known to range over to Penicuik but never heard of Sika there. That's not to say it's impossible mind!

Given all the tree planting planned for the Pentlands, give it 5 years and they’ll be begging for treats at the Flotterstone!

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

Worked in the Lammermuirs for many years never ever saw Sika, at times 30 plus full time keepers sitting out after vermin never once did any one see Sika deer.
About 35 years ago some poachers from the north East dumped a Sika on the side of the road near Dunbar and the rumours still persist about Sika in Pressmenon Woods.

 

[Mungo]

Worked in the Lammermuirs for many years never ever saw Sika, at times 30 plus full time keepers sitting out after vermin never once did any one see Sika deer.
About 35 years ago some poachers from the north East dumped a Sika on the side of the road near Dunbar and the rumours still persist about Sika in Pressmenon Woods.

Thank you for that.

How recently did you work in the Lammermuirs?

The current estimate is that they’re spreading at around 4km per year, so things might have changed?

 

[NickJ]

I was hoping you’d get involved.

Thank you!

I wonder if they’ll ever make it over the lammermuirs.

Not as long as they carry ticks..

 

[Rake Aboot]

Worked in the Lammermuirs for many years never ever saw Sika, at times 30 plus full time keepers sitting out after vermin never once did any one see Sika deer.
About 35 years ago some poachers from the north East dumped a Sika on the side of the road near Dunbar and the rumours still persist about Sika in Pressmenon Woods.

If one made it to Pressmennan the rocks would kill it within a week

Never seen a place like
It for ticks

 

[Mungo]

Not as long as they carry ticks..

Not sure I understand.

Because the keepers will stop them?

 

[Rake Aboot]

Not sure I understand.

Because the keepers will stop them?

Grouse

 

[Mungo]

Grouse

So there’s zero tolerance to stop tick spread on the moors?

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

Thank you for that.

How recently did you work in the Lammermuirs?

The current estimate is that they’re spreading at around 4km per year, so things might have changed?

I am still in regular contract with the Lothian keepers and still no sign of Sika or Reds, just the odd Fallow on the north east side off the Lammermuirs which were released between Haddington and Dunbar.

 

[Mungo]

I am still in regular contract with the Lothian keepers and still no sign of Sika or Reds, just the odd Fallow on the north east side off the Lammermuirs which were released between Haddington and Dunbar.

Great - thanks very much.

I’m always surprised the fallow are still there!