The Culprits

 I watered the shrubbery which we planted in the Spring a few days ago and thought it needed a good weed. So yesterday that was the allocated job. However I soon realised that the deer had nipped off the new shoots from many of the plants. The last straw was when I discovered that there were no leaves at all left on the Cotinus!

With the rain this year the shrubs had established well. We have not seen any deer this Summer and I can only assume that three weeks of no rain has forced them down to the river to drink. Unfortunately they have to pass the deer equivalent of a McDonalds en route and can't resist a BIG SNACK.

It is no consolation that we caught them on camera, it's a shame that it doesn't have a loud klaxon attached. I guess we are back to netting until the plants are big enough to withstand the regular snacking.

PS It would seem Mr Fox checks us out regularly now just in case there are any goodies.