They are the largest group that has appeared since the bovine invasion. Here there is no observable clash just a preference of the deer to be in other parts to those occupied by cows. And who could blame them? They moved across on a route almost parallel to and just a few yards away from the footpath, walking as they often do, through the leggy heather. Cattle are more inclined to use the ready made paths, preferring them when available. One of the reasons for this is that grass grows thick to the side of paths much more vigorously than amid the heather and bracken. And cows are more addicted to grass than deer. Another is the domestic animal's inclination to stick to ways used by man, something not shared by wild animals. A year or two back I complained of the cattle muddying and widening the right of way - something that now seems permanent- from the 18 inches wide to four feet and more. The wildlife trust reserve manager's response to my 'anti-cow' comment was to say that deer also go on paths don't they? Revealing of a mindset, and not dissimilar to the comment I got from the mountain biker who insists that everyone has an impact on paths thus, in his view, letting himself off the hook!
The deer were more interested in the leaves of young trees this morning than the grass and that is one of the reasons for their preference for Blacka over such as Burbage where they are rarely seen.
Wild animals are unpredictable and today rather than running off they allowed us to get close, enjoying the detail of their red coats and velveted antlers.
Hinds are less sanguine and on the other side of the hill I was scouring the expanse of bracken for several minutes before spotting a single face shyly peering out.
No chance here of seeing any young calves who might have been nearby and it would have been irresponsible to approach. Later in the walk we found that the stags themselves had moved over and settled down in a patch of bracken all their own.
1 comment:
Wonderful!
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