A major drone survey of deer populations across the Broads National Park has revealed a significant rise in numbers, with growing concerns about the damage being done to both wildlife habitats and farmland. The second in a series of surveys, conducted in March 2025, covered 65 estates and more than 25,000 hectares – making it the largest of its kind in the UK.
The data, collected using thermal and high-definition drones operated by Ben Harrower Wildlife Consultants, shows that deer densities have increased from 17 per km² in 2024 to 20 per km² in 2025. This places the Broads firmly in the ‘high density’ category, with some wetland areas recording more than 100 Chinese Water Deer per km². The highest density was recorded on the Broads Authority estate at How Hill.
The survey findings confirm what many farmers, conservationists and land managers have suspected: deer, particularly non-native species like the Chinese Water Deer, are having a growing impact on the delicate ecosystems of the Broads. This includes trampling, track formation and peat destruction across rare fen habitats – damage now affecting up to 11% of these already fragile environments.
Pressure on rare plants and species
The consequences are not just physical. Deer grazing is threatening the survival of rare plants such as the Crested Buckler Fern at Reedham Marshes and the Fen Orchid in the valley of the river Ant. There is also concern for species further up the food chain: milk parsley, the sole food source for Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, is also being grazed, putting one of Britain’s rarest butterflies at risk.
Andrea Kelly, Environment Policy Adviser for the Broads Authority, said the survey has given the clearest picture yet of the threat posed by rising deer populations. “Around five years ago, we were unsure whether the growing deer numbers had any real impact on wetland biodiversity. Unfortunately, we are now certain that the impact is significant,” she said.
While the Broads Authority will not directly manage deer populations, it is supporting coordinated, sustainable efforts through partnerships and the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme. “We recognise the challenge and sensitivity around deer management in the Broads,” Kelly added.
Farming losses and conservation conflict
The damage isn’t limited to conservation areas. Local farmers are reporting substantial losses due to deer, with sugar beet tubers grazed and deer droppings contaminating grain stores – issues that threaten livelihoods and reduce yields.
Ben McFarland of Suffolk Wildlife Trust said the survey underscored how much the landscape had changed. “Deer are much more prevalent than they have been historically, and non-native Chinese Water Deer are reaching locally high densities both on and off our reserves,” he said. The Trust hopes the findings will help shape future management strategies to balance the needs of deer and wetland wildlife.
Some isolated positive effects of deer activity were observed – such as their tracks through reedbeds providing access for fish like Rudd, potentially benefiting species such as the rare Bittern. In the Trinity Broads, deer browsing of bramble in drier reedbeds was seen as a benefit, and occasional scrub browsing may help maintain open habitat. But these were the exception, not the rule.
A call for coordinated action
The Broads Authority worked with partners including the Forestry Commission and Natural England to develop the survey methods, which mirror approaches used nationally. David Hooton, Deer Officer for the Forestry Commission in East Anglia, said the work was essential. “Excessive deer activity can put pressure on ground flora. These surveys help us understand the impact on vulnerable habitats and help landowners plan effective management.”
Natural England’s Principal Officer for Woodland Policy, Adrian Jowitt, echoed this view. “Deer are an important part of our native wildlife, but increasing numbers of non-native species and a lack of natural predators mean they now pose a major threat to nature recovery.”
Deer management is already underway in parts of the Broads, but the challenge now is to better coordinate these efforts across the entire landscape. Norfolk’s Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group is working to develop a local venison supply chain and bring together deer management groups. Meanwhile, the Broads Authority is using its strategic role to raise awareness, support collaboration and help secure funding for sustainable approaches.
The long-term goal is to find a balanced solution – one that allows nature to recover, supports farmers and protects the unique wetland habitats of the Broads for future generations.
More information about the surveys can be found on the Broads Authority website.
