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<\/a>Fallow are the most social of the UK’s deer, what I didn\u2019t realise was that these small groups were all part of a much large herd of about 500 deer that live around the hall alongside a smaller herd of Red deer.<\/p>\n
So the challenge was to see if I could get some shots of them as they begin to gather for the their annual rut. It wasn\u2019t difficult to see both species, but I thought that getting close enough to get decent shots might be difficult.<\/p>\n
Although not yet in full rutting mode some of the bucks seemed to be gathering and sparring at the edge of a large group of does, who were lying down making the most of the October sunshine and unseasonable warmth.<\/p>\n At first I tried to get some images of the a few very skittish bucks that seemed to be eyeing up the does. The alpha buck was resting in the shade but obviously in charge for the moment.<\/p>\n Despite the growing sounds of antlers crashing together, as more young stags began to join the sparring groups, the main group seemed fairly relaxed about humans getting close to them.<\/p>\n But my guess is that later in the month when the weather turns a bit more autumnal and the bucks begin to challenge the adult male, things might be very different.<\/p>\n After a quick lunch I moved along the coast for a quick visit to Titchwell, RSPB reserve to see if the number of our winter visitors was increasing. Over the past few weeks there had been a growing number of Spotted Redshank, Bar Tailed Godwit, Black Tailed Godwit and wintering Ruff, together with a few Grey Plover and a huge flock of Golden Plover.<\/p>\n The long range forecast for the rest of the month signaled a a succession of cold easterly storms which might hopefully bring in some more overwintering birds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n