I have had roe deer in the garden twice before, in 2018 and 2021, but only at the end of the winter, in late February / early March. I have let them in by leaving the gate open at night after noticing that the ivy has been eaten from the outside of the fence. This time it was eaten before Christmas, suggesting that they are already running out of food. There is a lot of fresh ivy inside so I again left the gate open and set up cameras to watch. After a hesitant start they have been coming in every night and I have been experimenting with camera positions. The visitors include two bucks, at least three does and at least one young doe. (Roe deer don't form herds but often go around in small groups of 2-5 in winter.)
The first to arrive is usually this buck. He sometimes walks with a strange, stiff-legged gait.
The second buck is slightly smaller, has slightly longer antlers and a mark on the left haunch. The antlers are still growing at this time of year and are covered in velvet.
The camera has seen several does who are often here in pairs.
One doe was here with her fawn from last year.
Another doe has a bad limp and hobbles on three legs without putting weight on her right hind leg.
The deer quickly got used to the cameras and seem very relaxed about them.
No comments:
Post a Comment