There are strange noises coming from the Studley Royal Park –

At this time of the year, visitors to Studley Royal Deer Park will see increased activity and hear unusual noises. The National Trust manage three herds: Red deer, Fallow deer and Sika deer. (The Red deer are native to Britain together with Roe deer.)

RedDeer

The Reds are the first to try gather their harem of females (hinds). The stags develop a distinctive long and shaggy mane just before the rut. You can see the stags wallowing in the mud hollows and scent marking. Rival red stags will compete for control of the hinds firstly by roaring/bellowing; often by parallel walking (to see who is the strongest) and if that doesn’t work, eventually by fighting/twisting with clashing antlers. The winner or dominant male then has exclusive mating with the hinds in that group. The stag does not eat during the rut, having to gain and then guard “his” group of females from rivals. The stag is exhausted at the end. They are a fearsome sight when fighting or roaring.

The Fallow Deer

The Fallow deer are non-native but are considered naturalized. They have a different noise to the Reds when mating, making more of a loud groan. They tend to take a stand and if successful in the rut, the does come to them. Their palmate (flat) antlers are equally fearsome, but they are smaller animals than the Red deer with a shoulder height of 73-91cm

You might see white bucks and does – they are not albinos but called leucistic: they are just much paler than the normal colours of the herd.

The Sika

Another naturalized species, they are similar in size to the Fallow with a shoulder height of 50-90cm.with a shorter tail and the black strip is not so noticeable . The stag’s antlers are a smaller version of the Red deer, typically having 6 to 8 points. They normally keep segregated groups but come together for the rut when you might well hear the carrying whistling sound rising and falling from the stags

These are wild animals – the Reds can weigh up to 200kg and be up to 4ft tall. When walking do not get between a stag/buck and the hinds/does and keep well away from the group – use binoculars to view from afar and keep any dogs on a short tight lead. Keep safe but enjoy the wildlife.