DEER, once mainly confined to deer parks, have become a common sight in roadside fields, indicating just how numbers have grown over the past few years.

The Great British Deer Survey launched in January has elicited an impressive response from volunteers keen to get involved with the new research which aims to assess the current numbers and distribution of the six species of wild deer in the British countryside.

The deer survey, being run by the British Deer Society, forms an integral part of another inspiring national initiative which aims to discover the current state of 34 different mammal species in the UK.

Information gathered through this huge collaborative effort, called The Tracking Mammals Partnership, involving more than 20 different organisations, will be used to make informed decisions about the future conservation and wildlife management of many resident mammal populations.

The first report shows there are some winners and some losers among both native and non-native mammals.

Information from the BDS, for example, shows that roe deer populations have increased by more than 50 per cent, while once common species such as water voles have declined by more than 50 per cent.

Data gathered by the BDS will help decide the future management of the six species of wild deer in the UK, Red Deer, Fallow, Roe, Sika, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer.

Tony Dalby-Walsh, who is conducting the survey for the BDS, said: "This ambitious deer survey is really capturing the public imagination."

To get involved call 01452 655434 or email h.q@bds.org.uk.

Forms can also be downloaded from www.bds.org.uk.