Thermal survey case study
The estate expected around 40 deer. We recorded 76.
A thermal aerial survey across 650 acres replaced a rough estimate with an observed count, a species breakdown and a map the estate could use.
Southern England13 March 2026Thermal aerial survey
01 / The brief
The estate needed a clearer starting point.
The working estimate was about 40 deer, but sightings were inconsistent and gave no clear picture of how the animals were using the site. Before deciding where to focus management, the estate wanted a count it could stand behind, a species breakdown and a useful view of distribution.
02 / The method
We checked every detection before we counted it.
Over one night, we divided the 650 acres into four sectors and flew parallel routes across each one. We then returned to woodland, plantations and boundaries where the first pass needed a closer look.
Two analysts reviewed the footage independently. Each possible detection was checked against its location, movement, timing and habitat before duplicates and uncertain sightings were removed. The figure of 76 is therefore a minimum observed count, not a claim that every deer on the estate was found.
03 / The findings
The pattern mattered as much as the total.
We recorded 55 muntjac, 17 roe and 4 fallow. Most were using woodland and younger plantations rather than open pasture.
04 / What changed
The estate knew where to concentrate its effort.
Muntjac accounted for 55 of the 76 animals recorded. The map also showed that the greatest concentrations were around woodland, plantation cover and younger planting, with roe using many of the same areas.
One night’s survey does not produce a cull quota on its own. What it gave the estate was a credible baseline to consider alongside habitat impact, cull records and stalking effort, and something meaningful to compare with a future survey.
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Thermal aerial surveys
Let’s talk through what you need to know.
Tell us what is happening on the site and what decision you are trying to make. We can work out together whether a thermal aerial survey would help.