Origins

The deer that we see on Blacka Moor are wild. So why are they here in a landscape that has for many generations been hostile to wild mammals, not just predators like foxes that can inconvenience farmers and others who keep livestock?

Before the deer appeared in increasing numbers on Blacka Moor they were well established on Big Moor some four miles to the south west. I've always assumed that the originals of those deer had escaped from a park herd years ago and set up a wild colony which had now come through several generations. It's normally difficult to get close to them on Big Moor although you can be lucky if they are in the trees below White Edge. There's some evidence that they are joined by animals that have escaped more recently from farmed sites possibly many miles away. Deer can travel 20 miles in a day and there's a lot of open landscape for them to cover in the Peak District.

One of this morning's stags could well be a recent refugee from such a farm. He has a tag on his right ear. Whatever his origin he is wild now and any animal that manages to live outdoors using his own resources in a winter like the one that still hasn't finished is worthy of respect.