Good things can have unintended consequences

The new reserve is the ancient woodland known as Alder Coppice and the local Friends Group have been working to improve it for some years now. This was rewarded in November by being made into a local nature reserve, two days after winning the Forging a Future for All Award (Environment) at the Copthorne Hotel.

Whilst having a nature reserve is generally a good thing, raising house prices as well as improving the area, it attracts wildlife in greater numbers as well. Whilst passing the reserve one morning last week I removed an unfortunate Muntjac deer from the side of the road.

It was only a youngster and had been struck by a vehicle sometime overnight or in the early hours. I had no sooner removed the deer from the kerb to a roadside grassy area when a council vehicle pulled up. They had been contacted to respond to the road kill and had arrived to deal with the unfortunate animal. It may be the weather or the loss of green belt that is driving wildlife further into urban areas in search of food. This unfortunate animal had obviously been disorientated as deer don’t normally venture so close to the road. The council employee informed me that it was only his second deer in 10 years of doing the job, the other being similarly in the Sedgley area.

A very prompt response by the council to whoever called in the unfortunate incident. Good to know that wildlife live in our area to be enjoyed by all, good to know we have another nature reserve as well but a sad end to a deer, one of the symbols of the festive season. A reminder perhaps that even good things can have unintended consequences.

Simon Biggs, Chairman Friends of Alder Coppice Nature Reserve