Muntjac deer are known as ‘barking deer’ due to their dog-like calls

With their pint-sized stature and fondness for lurking in dense undergrowth, muntjacs often fly under the radar. But in winter, vegetation dying back improves your chances of a sighting. The introduced deer – originally from south-east China – are most active around dawn and dusk. Look out for collie-sized animals with a hunched profile and tiny, hook-like antlers in males.