Drafting an East Lothian Council Deer Management Statement
Published: 2022
Created: 2019
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to inform East Lothian Council and in so aid the production of a Deer Management Statement that will establish a framework for East Lothian Council to discharge its deer management responsibilities. Information is also provided to set the context by summarising: the current national law and policy on deer management; available information about deer in East Lothian; and the responsibilities that East Lothian Council has to manage deer under current legislation both as a landowner/manager, and as a public body.
1. Background
1.1 What is the law on deer management?
The key piece of legislation on deer management is the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 [the Act]. The Act has been amended several times, most significantly in 2011 and 2016.1 Closed seasons during which deer may not be taken and minimum requirements for firearms for killing deer are established under the Act. It also prohibits certain methods of killing or taking deer to protect deer welfare. In 2011 the functions of the Deer Commission for Scotland under the Act were transferred to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The Act gives SNH powers to secure deer management by: requiring landowners to produce a deer management plan; negotiating a control agreement with landowners to implement specific deer management measures; and if a control agreement cannot be negotiated, to apply to Scottish Ministers to make a control scheme requiring specific deer management measures. These powers are available under the Act where deer and/or current deer management (or lack of) are causing (or are likely to cause): damage to woodland, agriculture, deer welfare or the natural heritage; damage to the public interest; injury to livestock e.g. where deer compete with them for food; or where deer are a danger or potential danger to public safety e.g. because of a high risk of deer vehicle collisions.
1By Part 3 of the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 and Part 8 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
One of the amendments made to the Act in 2011 required SNH to produce a Code of Practice on Deer Management, to provide practical guidance on sustainable deer management, and to give examples of circumstances in which SNH would use its powers under the Act.
The Code of Practice on Deer Management [the Deer Code] was approved by the Scottish Parliament on the 14 December 2011. It is not an offence to breach the Code, however, compliance with it is a consideration for SNH in deciding whether to use powers under the Act (Scottish Natural Heritage 2011).
1.2 What is the Scottish Government and SNH’s policy on deer management?
The Scottish Government and SNH’s key policy on deer management is ‘Wild Deer a National Approach’ [WDNA]. This strategy document was first published in 2008, and then reviewed and revised in 2014. The revised document was accompanied by an Action Plan setting out actions to be implemented between 2015 and 2020. WDNA sets the following vision for deer management in Scotland to be achieved by 2030:
“There will be widespread understanding and achievement of sustainable deer management.
- Deer will be valued as part of Scotland’s natural heritage, in balance with their habitats and will contribute to a high quality, robust and adaptable environment;
- Deer will be a resource for diverse sustainable economic development with adverse impacts on other land being minimised;
- Deer management will promote social well-being through enjoyment of the outdoors and healthy lifestyles.
Wild deer will be managed in an inclusive way with knowledge used to underpin all decisions.” (Scottish Government 2015)
SNH’s policy is to secure sustainable deer management through a voluntary approach which seeks a partnership with deer managers and encourages effective collaboration between neighbours. SNH will only seek to use its powers under the 1996 Act where this approach has been attempted and exhausted. SNH’s approach to deer management is summarised in a flow diagram in Chapter 5 of the Deer Code which has been reproduced in Appendix 4 of this document.
1.3 Recent and future policy developments
1.3.1 Lowland Deer Panel
SNH convened a Lowland Deer Panel in January 2018 to answer five key questions on deer management in the Lowlands. The panel was remitted to make recommendations within the scope of the existing legislative framework. The panel reported in February 2019, its main recommendations were that:
- SNH should work more extensively with Local Authorities to ensure they were aware of their responsibilities under the Deer Code.
- Collaborative deer management in the lowlands should continue, with the structures to deliver it varying according to the species present, with collaboration over larger areas where herding species (red, sika, and fallow) are present, and more locally where only roe deer are present.
The panel endorsed the report on Lowland Deer Management: Assessing the Delivery of the Public Interest (McMorran et al 2019), and its recommendations about how SNH should work to improve the information it collects and holds on culling effort and other aspects of deer management in the lowlands.2
2This report scoped out the availability of information on deer management in a pilot area in the Stirling and Falkirk area and drew it together into a geo-database. It made some recommendations for how information gaps could be filled.
As part of the consultations undertaken during its work, the panel identified “a strongly held view by recreational deer stalkers (particularly in the Central Belt) that their expertise is not being used to provide sustainable deer management in their local area. They point to the large areas of Local Authority land where culling does not take place and suggest that this is the source of many of the issues surrounding roe deer management in urban and peri-urban areas.” (Scottish Natural Heritage 2019)
1.3.2 Deer Working Group
The Scottish Government appointed an independent Deer Working Group in October 2017 to recommend changes to ensure effective deer management in Scotland that safeguards public interests and promotes the sustainable management of wild deer. The Group was originally due to report in April 2019, but this was subsequently extended to September 2019 (Scottish Government, undated).
1.3 What deer are present in East Lothian?
The main deer species present in East Lothian is the roe deer. The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas of Scotland has 329 records of sightings of roe deer in East Lothian. The results of the British Deer Society’s (BDS) 2016 deer distribution survey showed that roe deer were present in all of the 10km squares (hectads) within East Lothian (British Deer Society 2016).
There is only one other record for East Lothian on the NBN Atlas Scotland. This is for a Sika deer recorded near Smeaton in 2015. The BDS deer distribution survey shows that Sika deer are present in the coniferous plantations near the Monynut edge, part of which is within East Lothian. The BDS survey results for 2016 also show Fallow deer are present in 7 hectads in East Lothian.
There is very limited information available on numbers or densities of deer in East Lothian, or in lowland Scotland in general. Due to the nature of the terrain, being mainly flat with limited vantage points and cover which obscures deer, and the territorial nature of roe deer, which typically occur in small groups, complete censuses of the type carried out regularly for open hill red deer are not carried out in lowland Scotland.
A night count was carried out on approximately 4,000 ha around Aberlady, Gullane, and Dirleton in December 2011, and this recorded 290 roe deer. Part of this area was counted again in 2012, when 108 roe deer were recorded on c.900ha. A count of a similar area was conducted in 2019, when a total of 107 roe deer were recorded. There was very good agreement between the number of deer counted on this area in 2011 – 105, 2012 – 108 and 2019 - 107. These counts suggest that the roe deer population has remained fairly constant in this area over the last 8 years. There was a count of land around Woodhall dean SSSI in February 2018 which recorded a minimum of 28 roe deer in a partial count of the reserve. This single count just provides a snapshot of deer on one night in that area and is not indicative of roe deer numbers in the surrounding area.
1.4 Deer habitat in East Lothian
Deer are woodland animals. They use woodland or dense scrub to lie up during the day or for refuge when disturbed, moving to open ground to feed at night. The increase in woodland cover in Scotland over the last century has allowed deer to increase in range and number in lowland Scotland. When deer become habituated to disturbance they can become more confiding and can be seen grazing in open ground during broad daylight. Roe deer can be frequently seen grazing in the open in agricultural fields in East Lothian.
East Lothian is less wooded than other parts of Scotland, a reflection of the high value of its agricultural land, and the management of much of the upland area as grouse moor. The National Forestry Inventory for 2017 includes 7,680 hectares of woodland in East Lothian, 11% of the local authority area. The area of woodland has increased by just over 3,000 hectares over the last 30 years, an increase of almost two-thirds.3
3The Land Cover Scotland 1988 dataset includes 4,638 hectares classed as woodland. According to the Ordnance Survey Boundary Line dataset the area of the East Lothian Council area is 70,093 ha. See Map 1 in Appendix 2.
Another change which has made East Lothian more suitable for deer has been the gradual shift from spring to winter cereal cultivation on East Lothian farms. This means that there is nutritious forage available to deer for much of the winter months.
The availability of woodland cover for refuge, and abundant forage on arable land means that roe deer in East Lothian are typically in very good condition. This means that they are able to reproduce at higher rates than in parts of Scotland with less favourable habitat – does have more young, breed for the first time at an earlier age and breed more often during their lives. This means that the East Lothian roe deer population has been able to expand.
1.5 Why manage deer?
Deer have an effect on our countryside and us in different ways at different times. These effects are described as impacts. Deer management is about how we reduce negative impacts, or improve positive impacts. Most obviously, deer management can involve controlling deer numbers by culling, but also includes other measures e.g. fencing to exclude deer from particular areas, or by providing signage to alert drivers to collision risks.
Positive impacts (e.g. stalking and venison income, enhancing biodiversity or improved animal welfare) and negative impacts (e.g. crop or habitat damage or road traffic accidents) may affect both private interests and public interests in different ways.
1.6 What information is needed to inform deer management?
Three main types of information can be available to inform deer management:
- Information about deer: e.g. species presence/absence; density; numbers; sex ratio; reproductive rate; condition
- Information about deer management: e.g. location, condition and date of erection of deer fences; number, sex and location of deer culled; carcass weight and condition of culled deer; number of people employed in deer management; income generated by recreational deer stalking
- Information about deer impacts: e.g. deer vehicle collisions, assessments of the impacts of deer grazing and browsing on biodiversity; forestry, farming, greenspace and domestic gardens
There is currently limited information of all three types available to inform deer management in East Lothian. As described above, a recent report Lowland Deer Management: Assessing the Delivery of the Public Interest (McMorran et al 2019) scoped out the availability of information on deer management in a pilot area in the Stirling and Falkirk area. It identified a number of gaps in information in all three of the above areas, and made some recommendations for improvements in data collection. These recommendations were endorsed by the Lowland Deer Panel. However, it is unlikely that the availability of information to inform deer management is going to change substantially in the near future.
Where there are gaps in the information available to deer managers decision making should follow the precautionary approach. This means that decisions about how to manage deer should not be deferred, they should be made on the basis of the information that is available. An adaptive approach could also be adopted, with management being revised in the light of new information and results of previous approaches.
2. Current deer impacts and deer management in East Lothian
2.1 Deer impacts in East Lothian
As noted above, there is limited information about the positive impacts that flow from deer management in East Lothian in terms of income from sporting stalking, venison sales, and downstream spend in the local economy. It is possible to say more about the negative impacts that roe deer can have, and the table below identifies the potential negative impacts, and comments on their severity in East Lothian.
|
Negative Impact |
Private / Public Interest |
Impact in East Lothian |
Trend, Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Deer vehicle collisions |
Both |
There were 161 Deer Vehicle Collisions in East Lothian in the 5 years 2008 to 2012. This increased to 280 in the 5 years 2013 to 20174 The majority of collisions are recorded on the A1, accounting for 59% and 47% of collisions for these time periods respectively (See Appendix 2, Maps 2 and 3) |
Worsening, High It is highly likely that recorded DVCs are a substantial underestimate due to under reporting. |
|
Deer welfare |
Both |
Roe deer in East Lothian generally in good condition. In certain sites where there are barriers to deer movement, welfare problems can arise. Where deer occur at high density individual deer can experience welfare problems from parasites / disease. No deer offences were recorded by Police Scotland in East Lothian between 2013-185. Reports suggest that roe deer shot in East Lothian can exhibit injuries consistent with having been worried by dogs.6 Incidents of deer having been chased or killed by dogs have been recorded. |
Uncertain, Low
Worsening, Low |
|
Natural Heritage |
Public |
Two SSSIs in East Lothian, Woodhall Dean SSSI and Lammermuir Deans SSSI have woodland features assessed as being in unfavourable condition due to browsing from Roe deer in recent Herbivore Impact Assessments (HIA). No information is available about deer impacts on natural heritage in other areas. Coastal grasslands e.g. at Aberlady LNR benefit from deer grazing. |
Uncertain, low to moderate. Where deer impacts on natural heritage are negative, impacts are likely to be worsening as available information suggests roe deer are increasing in range and numbers in many areas |
|
Farming |
Both |
No reports of deer damage to Scottish Government Rural Payments Inspectorate Local Office. No response from National Farmers Union of Scotland members to information request made through local bulletin as part of this project. |
Uncertain, Low |
|
Forestry |
Both |
Forestry Commission Scotland did not report any sites in East Lothian where deer damage is an issue for either restock or new plantings. |
Uncertain, Low |
|
Private gardens |
Private |
SNH received one report of deer damage to private gardens in Gullane, which was affecting around 25 residents in 2010-11. There have been no subsequent reports. |
Uncertain, Low |
4Analysis of Deer Vehicle Collision data available from NatureScot Open Data Hub website.
5Police Scotland (2019)
6 Edinburgh and East Lothian Deer Management Group (2019)
2.2 What deer management does East Lothian Council undertake currently?
The Council has not undertaken culling of deer on the land it owns. Some deer culling has been undertaken on land the Council manages under lease, where sporting rights have been retained by the landowner. The Council assesses the available data on deer vehicle collisions. Based on this and in giving priority to higher speed limit roads warning road signs have been installed. If signs are not effective other options such as speed reduction are considered. Advisory signs are displayed and enforcement action is taken where there is a history of irresponsible dog control affecting deer welfare.
2.3 What deer management is carried out by others in East Lothian?
SNH can request an annual cull return from deer managers, which detail the number, sex and species of deer culled on a particular area. Deer managers are only required to submit a return if requested by SNH. Fourteen properties in East Lothian submit an annual cull return to SNH. For the two years 2016/17 and 2017/18 these properties culled an average of 287 roe deer between them, and one property culled 11 Sika deer in 2016/17. This is highly likely to be a substantial underestimate of the amount of culling of roe deer going on in East Lothian, as SNH does not request a return from all deer managers in East Lothian. Formal cull returns submitted to SNH only form part of the picture. The nature and quality of roe in East Lothian are an attractive resource for vocational and recreational deer stalkers along with those who are managing deer to protect agricultural and forestry interests much in line with the rest of lowland Scotland. Therefore annual culls will be significantly more than those reported.
Hitherto, cull returns have been requested by SNH from large estate type holdings along with large forestry complexes. The lack of returns from lowland farms has long been recognised as an information gap. The nature of land ownership on lowland farmland, with comparatively many smaller landowners, means that the significant resources would be required to collect cull returns from all those managing deer in East Lothian. National population estimates and culls at LA scale are not required to inform local decision making. This can be based on what information, particularly in relation to deer impacts, is available locally and then an adaptive management model can be followed.
It is not possible to say how many people are employed in East Lothian in deer management in terms of FTEs. Given the small numbers of deer culled on those properties which do report, deer management will only make up a small proportion of e.g. a gamekeeper or forester’s work, and in some cases will be done recreationally. It is not possible to say how many of the roe deer culled in Lothian are culled for sport, rather than as part of management.
3. Future deer management by East Lothian Council
3.1 How should the Council decide whether deer management is required?
Whilst until now East Lothian Council has not had a formally adopted policy or plan in place in relation to deer management, the Council takes its deer management responsibilities seriously. The Council will manage deer in accordance with an agreed deer management statement, which will set out how the Council will manage deer in accordance with the Deer Code. This statement will be the first step in adopting more detailed policies on deer management, and in implementing deer management actions in a consistent way, following an agreed process. In order to decide whether deer management is required, the Council should consider the information available to it. Decisions should be reviewed when new information is available, and in some situations, the Council may need to collect or commission information to support its decision making. The diagram overleaf illustrates an iterative decision-making process the Council could follow.
Figure 1 – A Decision Making Process for Deer Management
Click for a full description
Are deer present?
IF NO, continue monitoring for deer presence
IF YES, Are deer causing, or are they likely to cause damage?
IF NO, Continue monitoring deer impacts
IF YES, Is there an appropriate deer management option? E.g road signage, information provision, fencing, cutting or a combination of measures
IF NO, There should be objective justification for this decision and it should be supported by the evidence
IF YES, Implement deer management
Reassess impacts after implementation of deer management measures to evaluate continuing need for deer management and/or need for additional measures. Refer back to Are deer causing, or are they likely to cause damage?
3.2 How does the Deer Code apply to East Lothian Council?
Chapter 1 of the Code states that it applies to all land managers who own or manage land where wild deer occur. The Code therefore applies to East Lothian Council.
Chapter 2 of the Code poses some questions, to help determine what deer management actions are relevant. The table below shows these questions, together with commentary in relation to East Lothian Council.
|
What species of wild deer occur on your land? |
Roe deer occur widely on land owned/managed by the Council. |
|---|---|
|
How often are there wild deer present on your land? |
Deer are present throughout the year. |
|
What is the density and distribution of the wild deer population on your land? |
Roe deer occur widely. There is only information about deer numbers at Aberlady Bay LNR and Gullane. |
|
What is the health of the wild deer population on your land? |
Most deer in East Lothian are able to feed in improved grasslands and arable fields. They are therefore generally in good condition and good reproductive performance. The main issue compromising deer welfare in East Lothian is disturbance, especially arising from interactions with dogs. |
|
How mobile are the wild deer which occur on your land? |
Deer territories span across ownership boundaries. Roe and Fallow deer are resident and do not move large distances seasonally. Male deer and young deer will move to establish new territories, and during the mating season. |
|
What effect are the wild deer having on your own land? |
There is no information available to assess this. Deer grazing is beneficial to coastal grasslands |
|
What effect are the wild deer on your neighbouring land? |
There is no information available to assess this. Concerns have been raised in the past by neighbouring golf courses. |
|
Can wild deer on your land move onto public roads and into green spaces? |
Yes |
Chapter 3 of the Code sets out what actions are needed to deliver sustainable deer management. Actions are divided into those which MUST be done to comply with the law; actions SHOULD be taken to avoid regulatory action by SNH, and actions which are ENCOURAGED as they demonstrate good practice in deer management.
Chapter 4 of the Code explains how landowners should collaborate to achieve sustainable deer management. Collaborative deer management in the lowland context was considered in detail in the report of the Lowland Deer Panel. The panel concluded that the scale over which collaboration was required depended on the species present. Where roe deer is the main species, as in East Lothian, the panel concluded that collaboration was appropriate at a local level.
Chapter 6 of the Code explains how it applies to Public Bodies. It states that Public Bodies should demonstrate good practice in the way they collaborate over deer management with neighbours. Additionally the Code states that Public Bodies must consider the Code when making regulatory decisions that could have an effect on deer, for example, local authorities should consider the implications of planning decisions on deer.
3.3 What MUST East Lothian Council do?
The actions listed in the Code which MUST be undertaken largely relate to compliance with legislation and the Code can be read as presupposing that deer management by culling is already occurring. In East Lothian Council’s situation the legal requirement to comply with the provisions of the 1996 Act e.g. on close seasons, and with Firearms legislation, would only become applicable if deer were being managed by culling on land where the Council is responsible for deer management.
3.4 What SHOULD East Lothian Council do?
It is more relevant to consider the actions which the Code says East Lothian Council SHOULD be taking. The actions which are most relevant to East Lothian Council are listed below with some commentary.
|
Actions In The Code |
Implementation by East Lothian Council |
|---|---|
|
Take account of the impact on the welfare of deer in planning decisions relating to the layout and management of public places and amenity planting. |
Some of the areas which have been zoned for development in the East Lothian Local Development Plan have roe deer populations. When development begins, deer will move. The need to manage deer on sites which are being developed should therefore be considered by the Council as part of the local development plan process, and in relation to planning applications. For example, the Council could request information on deer as part of the assessment of planning applications, and set conditions on permissions to ensure that any implications arising from developments are addressed. E.g. a developer contribution to pay for road signage, or to help cover the costs of any deer fencing or deer control that is needed |
|
Actions to protect and enhance the environment |
Implementation by East Lothian Council |
|---|---|
|
Manage levels of grazing, trampling and browsing to deliver the favourable condition of natural features within designated sites. |
Herbivore Impact Assessments for designated sites owned/managed by the Council have not been carried out. The Council should consider the need to collect information about deer impacts on designated sites it owns and manages in order to better inform its deer management decision making e.g. by training staff in Herbivore Impact Assessment methodologies |
|
Manage grazing levels designed to prevent loss or damage to Scotland’s biodiversity, especially those key species and habitats identified in the Scottish Biodiversity List. |
There is no information available about the extent to which deer are negatively impacting on biodiversity on land owned/managed by East Lothian Council and/or on neighbouring land. The Council should consider the need to collect information about deer impacts on species and habitats on the land it owns and manages in order to better inform its deer management decision making e.g. by training staff in Herbivore Impact Assessment methodologies |
|
Follow the Invasive Non-native Species Code to prevent further establishment of non-native species. |
Sika are a non-native species and are present in East Lothian. The Council should have a procedure in place to record and report any sightings of Sika on Council owned/managed land, which would then be a trigger for a decision on whether management was required. A similar procedure should apply should Muntjac deer ever become established in East Lothian |
|
Implementation by East Lothian Council |
Implementation by East Lothian Council |
|
Take account of other economic activities when managing wild deer and minimise negative impacts on them (e.g. food production, forestry, tourism and other rural businesses). |
The Council should consider the implications of its decisions on deer management on its own land for its neighbours. |
|
Actions to support social well-being |
Implementation by East Lothian Council |
|
Contribute to co-ordinated action to reduce road safety risks |
Deer Vehicle Collisions are increasing in East Lothian. The Council addresses areas with an identified high risk of deer vehicle collisions by putting up signage to advise motorists. If this does not address the risk sufficiently the Council will consider reducing speed limits in affected areas. Where the risk of DVCs remains high after these measures have been implemented, the Council should collaborate with its neighbours to ensure that additional deer management is undertaken to reduce the risk of Deer Vehicle Collisions to an acceptable level. |
|
Be appropriately trained, equipped and aware of health and safety risks associated with your deer management |
If the Council decided to use its own staff to cull deer, they should be appropriately trained7 and work to site specific risk assessments. If the Council decided to secure deer control via a third party it should consider only using persons from the Fit and Competent Register kept by SNH8. There are currently over 30 people listed on this register who live in and around East Lothian. |
|
Contribute to action to reduce negative impacts of deer on green spaces, public areas and gardens |
There is no information available about the extent to which deer are impacting on green spaces, or public areas in East Lothian. The Council should note for consideration any reports of negative impacts. |
|
Actions which should be undertaken by Public Bodies |
Implementation by East Lothian Council |
|
Demonstrate good practice in collaborative deer management |
The Council should take an active role in collaborating on deer management with neighbouring landowners and deer managers |
|
Consider the impact of regulatory decisions on deer |
The Council should consider the impact of regulatory decisions it makes on deer, e.g. it should consider how planning decisions affect deer as described above |
7The recognised training which assesses competence in deer management is the Deer Stalking Certificate (DSC), which has two Levels. Achievement of Level 2 is generally regarded as a satisfactory level of competence for a person to go out and manage deer on land belonging to a third party. E.g. it is normally required by Forestry Commission Scotland for contractors/recreational stalkers in order to manage deer on the National Forest Estate.
8Essentially competence is demonstrated by having a DSC Level 2 qualification, or DSC Level 1 with supporting references. Further details are available on the SNH website.
3.5 What further actions COULD East Lothian Council take?
The focus of this Deer Management Statement is ensuring that the deer management carried out by East Lothian Council meets its requirements. The Code proposes a number of additional actions which could be taken to demonstrate good practice in deer management. Two examples of these actions are given below, with commentary.
|
Examples of actions to be ENCOURAGED under the Code |
Comment |
|---|---|
|
Promote training and on-going professional development of those involved in deer management. |
The Council could offer staff the opportunity to undertake training in herbivore impact assessment methodologies, deer management and/or the opportunity to obtain Deer Stalking Certificate qualifications. |
|
Provide information, such as where wild deer are likely to be seen, and encourage people to understand more about wild deer and their management. |
The Council provides information to the public as part of signage provided at Council sites. This signage both informs the public about deer and encourages them to enjoy seeing deer, and also provides information about responsible dog walking and deer. |
Based on the Deer Code, Wild Deer a National Approach, the recommendations of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee following its inquiry into deer management, and other relevant policy and legislation, SNH (2017) have defined 14 public interest actions for deer management. The table overleaf lists these actions, and comments on how they might be delivered by East Lothian Council in respect of its own land.
|
Key Public Interest |
Comment |
|---|---|
|
Contribute to the delivery of designated features into Favourable Condition through managing deer impacts |
At present, no designated features on land owned/ managed by ELC are in unfavourable condition because of deer. However only one herbivore impact assessment has been carried out in East Lothian and this is not on land owned/managed by ELC. |
|
Contribute to the Scottish Government woodland expansion target of 25% woodland cover |
ELC contributes to this action through its Climate Change Strategy. |
|
Manage deer to retain existing native woodland cover and improve woodland condition in the medium to long term |
East Lothian Council owns / manages around 150 hectares of woodland with only a small component being native woodland. There is no deer control in woodland owned/managed by ELC |
|
Monitor and manage deer impacts in the wider countryside (not improved agricultural land) |
Only one herbivore impact assessment has been carried out in East Lothian and this is not on land owned/managed by ELC. There is no deer control on land owned/managed by ELC. |
|
Improve Scotland’s ability to store carbon |
ELC contributes to this action through its Climate Change Strategy. |
|
Reduce or mitigate the risk of establishment of invasive non-native species |
The Council should have a procedure in place to record and report any sightings of Sika on Council owned/managed land, which would then be a trigger for a decision on whether management was required. A similar procedure should apply should Muntjac deer ever become established in East Lothian
|
|
Protect landscapes and historic features from deer and deer management activity. |
This is, or may be applicable to deer management on ELC owned/managed land |
|
Optimise economic benefits of Deer Management in Scotland |
The economic impact of deer management in East Lothian is not known. The nature and quality of roe in East Lothian are an attractive resource for vocational and recreational deer stalkers along with those who are managing deer to protect agricultural and forestry interests. ELC is developing a deer management statement which will identify the actions the Council will take to minimise the economic costs of deer |
|
Minimise the economic cost of deer |
The economic impact of deer management in East Lothian is not known. The nature and quality of roe in East Lothian are an attractive resource for vocational and recreational deer stalkers along with those who are managing deer to protect agricultural and forestry interests. ELC is developing a deer management statement which will identify the actions the Council will take to minimise the economic costs of deer |
|
Contribute to delivering higher standards of competence in deer management |
ELC is committed to ensuring that staff / contractors involved in deer management on Council owned/managed land have the appropriate qualifications, training and equipment. |
|
Identify and promote opportunities contributing to public health and wellbeing benefits |
ELC encourages appropriate public access to the land it owns and manages to encourage public enjoyment of the countryside and for health and wellbeing benefits. Deer management on land owned and managed by the Council will be consistent with this. |
|
Ensure effective communication on deer management issues |
ELC will communicate effectively with neighbouring land owners/managers about deer management issues. |
|
Ensure deer welfare is taken fully into account at individual animal and population level |
ELC is committed to ensuring that deer management on land it owns/manages takes into account deer welfare |
|
Develop effective mechanisms to manage deer. |
ELC is developing a deer management statement which will set out the Council’s approach to deer management. |
Tom Edwards
28 June 2019
References
British Deer Society. 2016. Deer Distribution Survey 2016.
Deer (Scotland) Act 1996
Edinburgh and East Lothian Deer Management Group. 2019. Personal Communication
Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016
McMorran, R., Gibson-Poole, S. & Hamilton, A. 2019. Lowland deer management: assessing the delivery of public interests. Scottish Natural Heritage Research Report No. 1069.
Police Scotland. 2019. Personal Communication
Scottish Government. 2015. Scotland’s Wild Deer a National Approach, Including 2015-20 Priorities.
Scottish Government. Undated. Deer Working Group.
Scottish Natural Heritage. 2011. Code of Practice on Deer Management.
Scottish Natural Heritage. 2017. Deer Management Plans: Delivering the Public Interest.
Scottish Natural Heritage. 2019. Lowland Deer Panel. Report to Scottish Natural Heritage February 2019.
Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011
Appendices
Appendix 1 – Information requested and meetings held in preparing this statement
Meetings
14 February 2019– Inception meeting with Kevin McCulloch SNH and Neil Clark East Lothian Council
13 March 2019 – Meeting with Mike Thornton, Area Officer for East Lothian, SNH
21 March 2019 – Meeting with Mark Telfer, Edinburgh and East Lothian Deer Management Group
3 April 2019 – Meetings with Neil Clark and Derek Oliver, East Lothian Council
5 April 2019 – Deer count with Kevin McCulloch SNH, Mark Telfer EELDMG, and John Harrison, East Lothian Council
11 June 2019 – Discussion of draft with Kevin McCulloch and James Hammond SNH, and Neil Clark East Lothian Council
Information requested from SNH
- Details of any deer counts / monitoring involving SNH in East Lothian (already have details of Gullane / Aberlady counts)
- Cull returns received from properties in East Lothian
- Authorisations granted in East Lothian for night shooting, shooting out of season.
- Fit and competent persons within East Lothian and surrounding area (area defined how? Lowlands? Within e.g. 2 hour drive of East Lothian?)
- Summary details, if available to SNH, of any complaints raised in relation to deer by farming, forestry, private citizens?
Information provided by SNH in response to these requests has been included as Appendix 3.
Information requested from East Lothian Council
- Details of any deer counts / monitoring involving the Council in East Lothian, including any casual records of deer sightings and locations
- Land owned by Council or for which Council has management responsibility. Note that in addition to coastline owned by Council and e.g. Council owned land at Aberlady, deer issues could arise on other land owned by Council e.g. parks / greenspace, large school grounds esp where they include or bound onto woodland etc, so it would be good to include information on the whole of the Council’s “estate”. This can be provided in shapefile format.
- Summary details, if available, of any complaints / deer issues raised with the Council in relation to deer by farming, forestry, private citizens, including welfare concerns / ethical considerations of deer management?
Other information requests
Police Scotland – requested information on deer poaching incidents recorded in East Lothian and in Scotland as a whole over the last five years. Police Scotland’s response was that there had been no deer poaching incidents recorded, and that a more detailed breakdown could not be provided as it would breach the cost threshold for providing a response.
Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) – requested information on any callouts or reports related to deer welfare in East Lothian. Was advised that other than Deer Vehicle Collisions deer welfare issues are not commonly reported to the SSPCA.
Forestry Commission Scotland – requested information re: deer damage to forestry. Main comments were that roe deer population in East Lothian is increasing, and that there is a need to protect all new plantings with either tree tubes or fencing. Increase in woodland in East Lothian has been relatively modest, a reflection of the high value of agricultural land. No particular damage issues noted.
National Farmers Union of Scotland - a paragraph was included in a newsletter to local members explaining the project and with contact details. No NFUS members got in touch.
Scottish Land and Estates – contacted to describe project. Local members were contacted in case they wanted to report any issues. One member got in touch, mainly to describe the approach they take to roe deer management.
Scottish Wildlife Trust – contacted to ask for information about deer, deer management and deer impacts. Roe deer present at four reserves in East Lothian, but the only counting and impact assessment has been done at Woodhall Dean. As a result of this culling is being carried out in 2018/19.
Woodland Trust – contacted to ask for information about deer, deer management and deer impacts. Deer are managed at Pressmenan Wood by arrangement with a local deerstalker with the intention of keeping browsing at acceptable levels.
East Lothian Antiquarians and Field Naturalist Society – contacted to ask for information about deer, deer management and deer impacts. Provided some contextual information on roe deer in East Lothian.
RSPB Scotland – contacted to ask for information about deer, deer management and deer impacts.
Deer Working Group – contacted regarding publication of the working group’s report.
Appendix 2 - Maps
Map 1 – Change in Woodland Cover in East Lothian since 1988
Map 2 - Deer Vehicle Collisions recorded in East Lothian 2008 to 2012
Map 3 - Deer Vehicle Collisions recorded in East Lothian 2013 to 2017
Appendix 3 - Information provided by SNH
Information requested from SNH
1. Details of any deer counts / monitoring involving SNH in East Lothian (already have details of Gullane/Aberlady counts)
SNH has information on four deer counts in East Lothian. These are:
a) Gullane/Aberlady 2011
b) Gullane/Aberlady 2012
c) Woodhall Dean SSSI 2018
d) Gullane/Aberlady April 2019
2. Cull returns received from properties in East Lothian
SNH has cull returns from 18 properties in East Lothian. These are:
Archerfield
Clint
Crackingshaws
Dunglass Woodlands
Gilmerton Estate
Fawn Wood- Yester
Ferneylea
Gosford Estate
Goshen Farm
High Wood
Humbie Woods
Lochhouses Estate
Lufness & Gullane Golf Course
Pressmennan
Royal Musselburgh Gold Course
Stobshiel
Tyninghame Estate
Winton Estate
3. Authorisations granted in East Lothian for night shooting, shooting out of season.
SNH has granted three authorisations for night shooting in East Lothian.
4. Fit and competent persons within East Lothian and surrounding area
SNH’s register of fit and competent persons lists 34 people who live in and around East Lothian.
5. Summary details, if available to SNH, of any complaints raised in relation to deer by farming, forestry, private citizens?
SNH is aware of only one complaint, from local residents in the Gullane area, regarding deer damage in domestic gardens. Following the complaint, meetings were held in the area, attended by SNH staff, since when there has been some culling of roe deer in the Gullane area.
Appendix 4 - NatureScot's approach to deer management
NatureScot’s approach to deer management
Click for a full description
This diagram illustrates the approach that NatureScot follows to achieve sustainable deer management. Initially NatureScot will become involved and offer guidance and support, but where a threat to public interest is identified, then NatureScot can move to Intervention, and finally Regulation.
Disclaimer: Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has changed its name to NatureScot as of the 24th August 2020.
At the time of publishing, this document may still refer to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and include the original branding. It may also contain broken links to the old domain.
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