[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]Deep in the forests and deer parks all round the UK, tensions and testosterone levels are rising. It's time for the red deer rut. The rutting season is a period when the biggest and strongest male (stag) rounds up a group of females (hinds) for mating. Of course every other male deer has the same ambition, but there's only so many females to go around.
In order to maintain control over a group of females the dominant stag must constantly drive away rivals. The stag announces his superiority over other males by constantly bellowing out an echoing roar, which sounds something like a cross between a chainsaw and a burp. I guess if we had to shout for days on end like these guys do we'd end up making a similar noise.
Sometimes shouting is not enough, and when contenders approach the females they need to be chased off. Occasionally fights between males can break out, and this can lead to some serious clashing of those magnificent antlers
Red deer are our largest native land mammals. They can weigh up to 190kg. In fact they're one of only two native species of deer in the UK, the other being the Roe deer. You can find out more about them in this Key to British Land Mammals.
Don't Get Stuck in a Rut
If you go to watch the rutting deer make sure you keep at a safe distance. If you take a dog be sure to keep it on a lead. You definitely DON'T want to get between the stag and his females. Those antlers are sharp, and getting charged by an angry stag can be bad for your health.
Where to See the Red Deer Rut
Be sure to check details before visiting. Some locations require permission for access and some require permits for photography. Deer parks are good locations to observe the rut as the deer are used to having people around them and it's often possible to get much closer than you would in more remote locations.
Richmond Park, Surrey
Bushey Park, Middlesex
Wildwood Trust, Kent
Bucklebury Farm Park, Berkshire
Ashton Court Estate, Somerset
Arlington Court, Devon
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Chatsworth Park, Derbyshire
Bradgate Park & Swithland Wood Country Park, Leicestershire
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
Wollaton Park, Woolaton, Nottinghamshire
Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire
Lyme Park, Disley, Cheshire
Jedforest Deer Park, Northumberland
Margam Country Park, Port Talbot
Beecraigs Country Park, West Lothian
Glengoulandie Deer Park, Perthshire
The Highland Wildlife Park, Inverness-shire
The Scottish Deer Centre, Fife
Isle of Jura, Argyllshire
Gosford Forest Park, County Armagh
Scientific name: Cervus elaphus
Size: The male is about 140cm at the shoulder, and the female is around 120cm. Adult males can weigh up to 220kg
Distribution: Wild populations can be found in the Scottish Highlands, North Devon, the Lake District, the Quantock Hills, the New Forest, East Anglia, the Lake District, the Peak District and The Brecon Beacons (Wales). There are also many herds in parks throughout the UK. Those in the Lake District are native and the rest originate from park or deer farm escapees
Months seen: All year round
Habitat: Dense woods and open moorlands
Food: Grass and low growing vegetation, as well as leaves on trees. This can be noticed on the trees in the area which have a perfectly flat bottom to their branches, about two metres from the ground, which is the maximum height the deer can reach
Special features: Although there are six species of deer living in Britain, only the red deer and the roe deer are considered 'native'. The red deer is our largest native land animal. Mature stags have branching antlers which are shed each year (at the end of winter) and grow back larger the following year. The fur is browninsh in the summer and more grey in winter. The males grow a 'mane' of slightly thicker fur around the neck each autumn.
Male red deer can be dangerous during the rutting season (September to November). Avoid getting too close to them, and definitely don't get between them and the females. If you are walking your dog near them keep it under close control or on a lead.
Sun Sep 30, 2012 10:22 am
