A blog and photo journal about the natural history of north-west England and beyond
Sika Deer grazing the marsh close to Middlebere Farm. Really encouraging to see a relatively large herd. Over the years the numbers of deer appear to have declined in response to over zealous control measures. Fortunately the National Trust appear to be taking a more Read More …
A few more from September’s trip down south. Always great to watch Foxes enjoying the early evening sunshine. The ones back home are far more wary and rarely seen until after dark.This particular family are based on a farm and used to people passing by. Read More …
Can you see me – a superb male Sand Lizard at Shipstal Point, Arne. The cryptic colouring is surprisingly effective especially amongst the heather growth that dominates the Arne peninsula. Probably just as well with the dissection of Kestrel pellets proving the local Kestrels Read More …
Hmmm…..storm clouds gathering just after dawn. Not a good sign. Silver Birch dominated woodland at the RSPB’s Arne Nature Reserve. Sika hinds (female) and a calf amongst the heath. A more unusual white Sika hind. Normally associated with domestication and inbreeding the white variation appears Read More …
Sika Stag at Arne. Surprising how confident these deer are. Even though originally from Japan they’re totally at home in the woodlands and mudflats around Poole harbour. Seem quite happy to co-exist with the native Roe Deer although I think the population is managed Read More …
Sika Stag at the RSPB’s nature reserve on the Arne peninsula in Dorset. Stag and one of this year’s fawns. Despite arriving at one of the rutting sites before dawn this year the rutting season appeared to be starting later than usual. What an amazingly Read More …
Originally introduced to Brownsea Island in the centre of Poole Harbour during the1860’s for some unknown reason it didn’t occur to anybody that most types of Deer are actually quite good at swimming. Sika are no different and faced with a choice just a few Read More …