Stags on Blacka can be at times remarkably bold but are more often timid and jumpy, hating to be approached by humans who can be identified as potential predators. It's not easy to understand why the reaction to our presence varies so much. And it does not seem to be dependent on whether one is accompanied by a dog, an explanation suggested by some. I've seen dogs go quite close to stags (often attracted by the droppings!) and the stags will initially move on then stop as if to say why should I? And Bert and I have sometimes got very close indeed to a stag moving inch by inch to get a good photograph.
Mark Fisher's recent fascinating article discusses, towards the end, 'prospect refuge theory' in relation to humans but this is also relevant to wildlife. The presence of trees and water and a chance to see potential predators while allowing a chance to withdraw into sheltered territory enables animals to feel comparatively secure.
Today I saw deer in one of the fields adjoining Blacka and walked round to get a better view. We were, as I thought, well hidden by woods while they were more or less in the open.
It didn't seem possible that they could see us but they quickly became very jumpy and staring in our direction. My ideas about getting a good view from the 'hide' of the trees was a non starter. They were quickly off over the wire and the wall and into the woods with a loud twang of hoof on wire.
I later walked down the rarely visited eastern slopes where there was a lot of evidence of deer including areas of dead bracken much trampled obviously by deer.
From this and the large number of deer trails they must be having a considerable impact on the landscape.
Mark Fisher's recent fascinating article discusses, towards the end, 'prospect refuge theory' in relation to humans but this is also relevant to wildlife. The presence of trees and water and a chance to see potential predators while allowing a chance to withdraw into sheltered territory enables animals to feel comparatively secure.
Today I saw deer in one of the fields adjoining Blacka and walked round to get a better view. We were, as I thought, well hidden by woods while they were more or less in the open.
It didn't seem possible that they could see us but they quickly became very jumpy and staring in our direction. My ideas about getting a good view from the 'hide' of the trees was a non starter. They were quickly off over the wire and the wall and into the woods with a loud twang of hoof on wire.I later walked down the rarely visited eastern slopes where there was a lot of evidence of deer including areas of dead bracken much trampled obviously by deer.
From this and the large number of deer trails they must be having a considerable impact on the landscape.
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