With the exciting news that BBC Autumnwatch has chosen to return to Leighton Moss for a second series (Tuesday 28-Friday 31 October, BBC 2, 8 pm), I thought it was only right that this week's 50th anniversary blog was about some of our autumnal stars - the red deer. They must have known that the cameras are coming back as they have been flaunting their presence on the reserve quite noticeably over the past week or so.
Posing for the camera by Rod Calbrade
Autumn is red deer mating (or rutting) season, so it is the time when the male red deer (called stags) go into battle for the attention of female red deer (called hinds) by bellowing at one another across the reserve and locking antlers in combat. This photo was captured just recently by a regular visitor. The main place to look out for them doing this is Tim Jackson and Grisedale hides in the early mornings and evenings.
Rutting has commenced by Richard Cousens
For most of the year, red deer males get on very well and hang out in all male groups (which is where the term 'stag party' comes from). During the rut (which runs from September to November), the dominant stags follow female groups. Only mature stags of around 5-10 years old, hold these groups of hinds (known as harems). The younger males and older stags tend to hang out on the periphery at this time.
The roaring that can be heard at Leighton Moss at this time of year is the males keeping their harem together. It is also used to establish dominance with other males. It draws stags over and gives them an opportunity to assess each other. If neither backs down then the antler clashing will begin.
Antlers are quite remarkable bits of kit (there are several in the Holt here at Leighton Moss if you've never touched some before). Stags are the only ones which grow antlers and they begin this in spring. They shed them every single year, usually in winter following the rut. Antlers vary in size and weight but they get bigger with age. It isn't an exact science but the number of points (or tines) on the antlers can give you a rough estimation of the deer's age. Antlers are made of bone which can grow at a rate of 2.5 cm a day. When they are growing they are covered in a soft layer called velvet which is actually blood vessels. Following the rut, when the deer want to drop their antlers, they rub this velvet off on trees, sometimes giving them a slightly gruesome appearance!
Now that is a set of antlers! by Ray Bowman
Although autumn is a fantastic time to see red deer at Leighton Moss, they can be spotted all year round. Summer is a particularly good time of year as it is when the young red deer (called calves) are born. They are covered in spots and look like little bambis, gamboling in the sunshine. Again Tim Jackson and Grisedale hides tend to be the best places to see them.
Mum and calf by David Mower
Some people are often taken by surprise that there are red deer at Leighton Moss, as they are an animal more closely associated with the Highlands of Scotland, not wetlands like the reedbed here. Red deer are in fact a woodland species, and forests would have once dominated across Britain. However, due to the removal of much of our woodland and also hunting by man, deer have been pushed out into a variety of other habitats including open moorland.
Mesolithic man would have used red deer for many purposes including food, clothing and the antlers to make tools. You can discover more about how this happened right here at Leighton Moss in a fantastic new book 'Leighton Moss: Ice Age to Present Day' which is available in our shop.
The herd here on the reserve is around 60-90 in number (depending on the time of year). They spend time in the woodlands and fields surrounding the site as well as coming onto Leighton Moss itself to much on fresh reed shoots. Red deer are remarkably good swimmers and so easily move across the deep ditches that run through Leighton Moss. They are also amazing jumpers so tackle surrounding fences no problem.
When asked to describe red deer stags, people often use terms such as regal, majestic and magnificent, and that is exactly what they are. As Britain's largest land mammal they are truly spectacular, so if you've never seen one, or would like to get the chance to see them in action, come and visit us soon!