Our largest land mammal in the UK is the Red Deer. It’s quite a formidable beast that needs to be treated with some respect. Until you are next to one its size is easily under appreciated. They are large. As we finished a tour the other week and were making our way back to the car we came across this individual. She seemed unphased by us but we didn’t get too close. Giving these animals their own space is always advisable.
We had a great tour to Minsmere over the border in Suffolk at the beginning of the month. Bearded Tits were showing closer than I’ve ever seen them here before and among many other highlights Red Deer put on a show for the photographers in the group.
One winters day in the late eighties I was walking across a clearing in Thetford forest when I disturbed a resting Red Stag. It was startled and I was too close for comfort. Well, let’s not put any heirs and graces on the moment, I was cacking myself. I’m a big lad but this thing was looking down on me. It had to be the biggest Red Deer ever and it dwarfed me. When it ran, and thank god it ran away from me, I could feel the ground shake. These are powerful big animals
There aren’t many Red Deer in North Norfolk but they can be found with a little patience. However we found several within a couple of herds on a foray into Suffolk last week, including a couple of young animals that were sparing with one another.
Letter From Norfolk 