{"id":28501,"date":"2023-06-21T10:30:51","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T08:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=13675"},"modified":"2023-06-22T16:39:32","modified_gmt":"2023-06-22T14:39:32","slug":"british-deer-guide-how-to-identify-and-best-places-to-see","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/british-deer-guide-how-to-identify-and-best-places-to-see\/","title":{"rendered":"British deer guide: how to identify and best places to see"},"content":{"rendered":"

Just six species of deer live in the British countryside, but it can often be difficult to tell which is which \u2013 learn all about these spectacular animals with our deer identification guide, plus discover the best places to see the autumn deer rut. <\/p>

By Daniel Graham\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 21 June 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Britain\u2019s deer populations are expanding, yet most of us see them rarely as they are secretive woodland<\/a> dwellers. During the autumn deer rut<\/a>, they are much more noticeable due to their need to mate and they can be very vocal.<\/p>\n

Of the six species of deer found in the British countryside, however only roe and red deer are indigenous to Britain. Fallow deer are thought to have been introduced during the Norman period, while muntjac, Chinese water deer and silka deer were introduced in the 19^{th<\/sup> and 20^{th<\/sup> centuries.<\/p>\n}}

Catching a fleeting glimpse of a deer on the landscape is an exciting wildlife spectacle<\/a>. Many of the UK\u2019s Royal parklands are home to deer, including Richmond Park and Bushy Park in London.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our guide to the six deer species found in the British countryside, including best places to see and how to identify.<\/p>\n

What do deer eat?<\/h2>\n
Deer eat grass, leaves, fruits, berries and woody plants, they can cause some damage to trees when they eat the bark or shoots of \u00a0trees.<\/p>\n
What is a young deer called?<\/h2>\n
A young deer is called a fawn, a female deer is called a doe or hind, and a male deer is known as a stag or buck.<\/p>\n
What do you call a group of deer?<\/h2>\n
A group of deer is called a herd.<\/p>\n

More related content:<\/p>\n
Deer culling in Britain: what\u2019s the problem and why are deer culled?<\/a><\/li>\n
Red squirrel guide: how to identify and best places to see in Britain<\/a><\/li>\n
Pine marten guide: how to identify and where to see in Britain<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
Credit: Getty<\/em><\/p>\n
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What species of deer are found in the UK?<\/h2>\n
In Britain there are six species of deer to be found in the wild, including red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, muntjac, Chinese water deer and sika deer.<\/p>\n
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Red deer<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
Red deer migrated to Britain\u00a0from Europe 11,000 years ago, making them\u00a0one of two of the country\u2019s truly indigenous\u00a0species. Since their arrival, populations have risen and fallen with the loss and creation of suitable habitat. One of the UK\u2019s most adaptable mammals, red deer are currently\u00a0expanding in both range and numbers \u2013 while preferring woodland and forest habitats in England and southern Scotland, their opportunism has led to their inhabitation of\u00a0open moor and hills too.<\/p>\n
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What do red deer eat?<\/h3>\n
Grass,\u00a0young\u00a0shrubs (like heather),\u00a0tree shoots and crops.<\/p>\n

When is the red deer breeding season?<\/h3>\n
End of September to November is the main breeding season for red deer?<\/p>\n

How big are red deer?<\/h3>\n
Red deer shoulder height is up to 137cm in males and females are up to\u00a0122cm. \u00a0Weight wise red deer are up to 190kg in males and females are up to 120kg.<\/p>\n

What do roe deer eat?<\/h3>\n
Herbs, brambles, ivy, heather, bilberry and young tree shoots.<\/p>\n

When is the roe deer breeding season?<\/h3>\n
Mid-July to mid-August.<\/p>\n

How big are roe deer?<\/h3>\n
Roe deer reach up to 75cm at shoulder height and weigh up to 25kg.<\/p>\n

What do fallow deer eat?<\/h3>\n
Fallow deer prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs.<\/p>\n

When is the fallow deer breeding season?<\/h3>\n
Late September to October.<\/p>\n

How big are fallow deer?<\/h3>\n
Stags are slightly larger than hinds, reaching up to 94cm at the shoulder (females up to 91cm). Stags weight up to 94kg\u00a0 with the much slighter females reaching only 56kg.<\/p>\n

What do muntjac eat?<\/h3>\n
Muntjac eat a wide variety of grasses, herbs and shrubs.<\/p>\n

When is the muntjac breeding season?<\/h3>\n
Muntjac do not have a specific deer rut \u2013 they can breed all year round, leading to rapid population growth.<\/p>\n

How big are muntjac?<\/h3>\n
Muntjac reach just 52cm tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 18kg.<\/p>\n

What do sika deer eat?<\/h3>\n
Sika deer each grasses and shrubs, sometimes eating tree bark and young tree shoots.<\/p>\n

When do sika deer breed?<\/h3>\n
The sika deer rut runs from September to November. Hinds give birth between May and July.<\/p>\n

How big are sika deer?<\/h3>\n
Sika deer stags reach up to 95cm at the shoulder with hinds up to 90cm. Weight: Up to 70kg (females up to 45kg).<\/p>\n

What do Chinese water deer eat?<\/h3>\n
Chinese deer will eat most vegetation: grasses, herbs and woody material.<\/p>\n

When do Chinese water deer breed?<\/h3>\n
Chinese water deer breed from late autumn into early winter, giving birth in June and July.<\/p>\n

How big are Chinese water deer?<\/h3>\n
Chinese water deer are relatively small, reaching up to 55cm at the shoulder and weighing up to 18kg.<\/p>\n

What noise does a deer make?<\/h3>\n
Bucks make loud grunting noises \u2013 particularly during the rutting season.<\/p>\n

What is a young deer called?<\/h2>\n
A young deer is called a fawn, a female deer is called a doe or hind, and a male deer is known as a stag or buck.<\/p>\n

What is a young deer called?<\/h2>\nA young deer is called a fawn, a female deer is called a doe or hind, and a male deer is known as a stag or buck.<\/p>\n

What do you call a group of deer?<\/h2>\nA group of deer is called a herd.<\/p>\n

What species of deer are found in the UK?<\/h2>\nIn Britain there are six species of deer to be found in the wild, including red deer, roe deer, fallow deer, muntjac, Chinese water deer and sika deer.<\/p>\n

What do red deer eat?<\/h3>\nGrass,\u00a0young\u00a0shrubs (like heather),\u00a0tree shoots and crops.<\/p>\n

When is the red deer breeding season?<\/h3>\nEnd of September to November is the main breeding season for red deer?<\/p>\n

How big are red deer?<\/h3>\nRed deer shoulder height is up to 137cm in males and females are up to\u00a0122cm. \u00a0Weight wise red deer are up to 190kg in males and females are up to 120kg.<\/p>\n

What do roe deer eat?<\/h3>\nHerbs, brambles, ivy, heather, bilberry and young tree shoots.<\/p>\n

When is the roe deer breeding season?<\/h3>\nMid-July to mid-August.<\/p>\n

How big are roe deer?<\/h3>\nRoe deer reach up to 75cm at shoulder height and weigh up to 25kg.<\/p>\n

What do fallow deer eat?<\/h3>\nFallow deer prefer grasses but will graze young shrubs.<\/p>\n

When is the fallow deer breeding season?<\/h3>\nLate September to October.<\/p>\n

How big are fallow deer?<\/h3>\nStags are slightly larger than hinds, reaching up to 94cm at the shoulder (females up to 91cm). Stags weight up to 94kg\u00a0 with the much slighter females reaching only 56kg.<\/p>\n

What do muntjac eat?<\/h3>\nMuntjac eat a wide variety of grasses, herbs and shrubs.<\/p>\n

When is the muntjac breeding season?<\/h3>\nMuntjac do not have a specific deer rut \u2013 they can breed all year round, leading to rapid population growth.<\/p>\n

How big are muntjac?<\/h3>\nMuntjac reach just 52cm tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 18kg.<\/p>\n

What do sika deer eat?<\/h3>\nSika deer each grasses and shrubs, sometimes eating tree bark and young tree shoots.<\/p>\n

When do sika deer breed?<\/h3>\nThe sika deer rut runs from September to November. Hinds give birth between May and July.<\/p>\n

How big are sika deer?<\/h3>\nSika deer stags reach up to 95cm at the shoulder with hinds up to 90cm. Weight: Up to 70kg (females up to 45kg).<\/p>\n

What do Chinese water deer eat?<\/h3>\nChinese deer will eat most vegetation: grasses, herbs and woody material.<\/p>\n

When do Chinese water deer breed?<\/h3>\nChinese water deer breed from late autumn into early winter, giving birth in June and July.<\/p>\n

How big are Chinese water deer?<\/h3>\nChinese water deer are relatively small, reaching up to 55cm at the shoulder and weighing up to 18kg.<\/p>\n

What noise does a deer make?<\/h3>\nBucks make loud grunting noises \u2013 particularly during the rutting season.<\/p>\n