White-tailed Deer—Observations On Browsing Preferences

On: The late summer early fall browsing preferences of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus  virginianus) in a vegetatively disturbed suburban area.

Observations in late summer and early fall of  this year 2022 browsing activities of  the White tailed  deer (Odocoileus virginianus) inhabiting a modified, physically and vegetatively altered area on Long Island, NY  indicate that at this season of the year, and in an area of mixed non native and  native plant species. White tailed  deer  appear to favor the leaves and small branches of Fox Grape (Vitus labrusca),  Multiflora Rose ( Rosa multiflora) , Pokeweed, (Phtolacca americana),  Japanese Bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), and less frequently, that of Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) .  In some places I have observed the leaves of poison ivy (Toxicodendron sp) browsed where larger patches of Fox Grape were also being exploited. 

The Rail Path is an east-west walking/jogging/ bicycle path developed  along the  course of the former Long Island Railroad tracks in northern Brookhaven Township, Suffolk County. NY.   The region is suburban. The path courses below high tension power lines supported by metal pylons. The asphalt paved byway winds it way through suburban developments and borders remnant patches of undeveloped woodlands in a generally residential community.  The approximately one mile section of the  path where  these observations were made  is regularly tree-pruned to control vegetation and the path borders are mowed regularly . The area has been heavily disturbed and is presently vegetated with a mix of native, non-native and invasive species dominated by : Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), Japanese Knotweed (Reynoutria sachalinensis), Greenbriar (Smilax rotundifolia) and domestic escapes such as Flowering Pear, Flowering Crabapple, and invasives such as Mile a Minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum) and many others.  These introduced plants are interspersed with common local native trees such as species of  oak, hickory, beech, pitch pine, catalpa, and others.  Most of the Rail Path species are non-native or invasive. 

Deer are often observed along the path.  Other wildlife such as red fox (Vulpes vulpes), gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis ), raccoon (Procyon lotor ), wild turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo), woodchuck (Marmota monax), cottontail rabbit ( Sylvilagus floridanus), etc. are also observed regularly. 

Observations of deer browsing  preferences  were made by recording plant species which were clearly browsed along a one-mile section of the pathway.  Overhanging branches of vines, brush, forbes, and trees  within the level above ground at which deer browse (@ 1.5-2 meters)  with obvious and recent evidences of browsing were identified and recorded.  Evidences included leaves being stripped away, twigs and terminal branches chewed off, incisor teeth marks on small branches and leaves, partially torn leaves, as well as foliage  partially or fully removed. 

Most frequent browsed plants in early fall along the Rail Path one mile section were : Fox Grape,  Multiflora Rose, Pokeweed, Japanese Bittersweet and less frequently browsed were the leaves and branches of Black Cherry.

Evidence of Poison Ivy browsing was infrequent and often only where Fox Grape or Multiflora rose were being exploited, perhaps the latter species was eaten unintentionally. 

Poke weed specimens which, at this season, were easily identified by their bright red stems and dark red fruit clusters were often observed to be heavily browsed. Some had the red skim on thicker main stems  gnawed away to remove the bright red skin and expose the light green woody tissues of the stem.   Of 36 clumps of this species observed along the one mile observation route, 19 had obvious signs  of deer browsing.   

Japanese Bittersweet was browsed regularly its leaves stripped off sections of vine which hung into the deer browse level. It is noteworthy that another local species (S floridanus) exploits this plant species in the winter season.  The bark and cambium layer of the woody stems of this species were often observed to be gnawed away and presumably consumed as a regular winter food source for cotton-tail rabbits.