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Deer Species: Red Deer
Possibly the most familiar of all UK Deer due to its appearance in many parks the native Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) is our largest species of deer growing up to 115cm at the shoulder and up to 250kg in weight.
Most people will have seen images of the classic twelve pointed antlers of a "Royal" stag and be aware of its characteristic "bellow".
Although traditionally thought of as purely a Scottish Deer, herds can also be found in Exmoor whilst a few examples can also be found in counties elsewhere in the UK due to accidental escapes from Parks.
Red Deer spend most of the year in single sex herds however in September the Stags become increasingly aggressive to one another after which the 'break out' takes place, it is at this stage that both Hind and Stag herds come together for the rut which takes place at the end of September and continues until the end of October. The stag typically rounds up a number of Hinds which he then aims to defend against other stags.
Hinds will have single calves around May and June however in highland areas not all Hinds will be sufficiently well nourished to have calves every year. These barren hinds are called 'yelds'.
Antler casting by the Stags is in late March - May with the velvet being shed by late August - September.
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Deer Species: Chinese Water Deer (CWD)
Having been introduced from China to the UK around 1900 by the Duke of Bedford CWD are one of the oldest known species of deer and possibly date back 35 million years.
Generally a solitary deer though capable of forming small family groups, CWD can be found mainly in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. Though doing well their specific habitat requirements of reed beds have meant that they have not spread far beyond their initial release site of Woburn Abbey.
CWD are unique in so much as they do not grow typical antlers but instead exhibit large sharp tusks. They are a small deer with a live weight of up to 20kg and stand around 50cm at the shoulder. Features include black button eyes and large hair filled ears, The hind legs are typically longer than the fore casuing the rump to appear higher than the fore quarters.
For Chinese water deer the rut is in December during which time the Bucks take up territories marked by scrapes and scent markings.
Potentially Chinese Water Deer have a very high reproductive rate due to the fact that the Doe can give birth to litters of up to seven kids however most Does will have two or three kids which are born around May - June.
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Deer Species: Fallow
This widely recognisable deer is often attributed to Parks due its highly attractive appearance and the large palmated antlers of the Buck.
Of the variety of Fallow likely to be encountered, (Menil, Common, Melanistic and white) it is perhaps the Menil variety with its light beige coat and white spots that is most highly regarded.
Fallow (Dama dama) can be found across the UK, however their distribution is predominantly in the southern counties of England and across much of the Midlands. Bucks can grow up to 95kg in favourable conditions and Doe's in excess of 50kg.
Fallow are a herding deer and as such are primarily grazers. They can however also be associated with tree damage and are often responsible for considerable crop damage.
The Fallow rut is in October during which time the bucks will 'wallow', take up rutting stands and can be herd groaning in an attempt to attract mates. Antler shedding by the buck is from April to May.
The Does have single fawns in June and July during which time they become solitary before later re joining the family group.
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Deer Species: Sika
Sika deer (Cervus nippon) originate from Japan and are very closely related to our native Red Deer. Since their introduction to Britain in the 19th Century they have remained largely localised to Scotland with a few noticeable exceptions in Dorset, East Anglia and Kent.
A herding deer, Sika are similar in size to Fallow however have been known to mate with our native red deer causing frequent Sika/Red hybrids. Both the Hind and the Stag are distiguishable from a light colourde 'V' across their brow and white metatarsal gland on the outside of the hocks.
Sika stags will thrash and fray trees and are noted for causing extensive damage to trees from their characteristic raking of bark also known as "bole scoring".
Spending most of the year in single sex groups though coming together for the Rut, sika are secretive deer and have a wide range of calls including an unusual and characteristic whistle.
For Sika the rut is usually August - September and for the stags antler shedding usually occurs around March extending to as late as May. The Hinds typically give birth to a single Calf in May and June.
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Deer Species: Roe
This native, elegant and long legged Deer can be found across much of the UK.
Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) tend to be found in groups rather than herds and their ability to blend into woodland environments make them difficult to spot and able to exist in relatively small areas of cover unnoticed.
In contrast to many other deer antler eruption amongst the Bucks occurs over the spring and early summer, the quality of which in the UK is widely seen as a credit to our British Deer Managers and a draw for trophy hunters from around the world.
Roe are a territorial animal and can live up to 12 years in the wild. They stand around 70cm at the shoulder however despite their appearance they are light framed with bucks typically weighing no more than 30kg on the hoof for a really good specimen.
In summer Roe are typically a foxy red colour turning to dark brown in the winter. Although they have no tail the does display a tuft of hair in winter coat allowing them to be distinguished from bucks during winter months when the bucks have cast their antlers.
Unlike other UK species of deer Roe Does typically give birth to twins, the does are also unique in that they have a process of delayed implantation of the fertilised ovum into the womb. This means that despite the rut being around July/Aug the doe is not visibly pregnant until at least January the following year.
