Deer Fawns

We have recently had our first fallow deer fawn born at the centre for this year. Fallow deer have a slightly shorter gestation than red deer, so despite mating later in the year, they still give birth around about the same time.

This little one above was still finding his feet, but it is amazing how quickly they do start to bound around. Within 15 minutes of being born they will be up on their feet. Admittedly, very wobbly and falling over occasionally, but it doesn't take them long.

While this young though, most of the time you will find them tucked up in the grass while the mother goes off to feed.

Only occasionally going back to feed the youngster, and move them on to another spot. This is why it is so important to think twice before approaching a lone fawn in the wild. What may appear to be an abandoned fawn, may well just have been left while the mother goes to feed and she will come back to collect them later. But once any human scent is on the baby, it is then very likely that the mother will abandon the fawn.

If you do come across a baby deer, and are concerned, the best thing to do is check the spot again later in the day... chance are it will no longer be there as it would of been collected by the mother.

Back to our red deer calves. They are doing extremely well, and on last count we currently have six of them. You can see two above already big enough to follow the rest of the herd around.

They vary in age, and so many are still tucked up in the grass. You can see below how easy it would be to pass them with out ever knowing they were there... and this is in relatively short grass too!

So, keep your eyes open for deer fawns and calves this weekend if you are planning on making a trip to see us, and click on the "More BWC Photos" tab above for more photos of our fallow deer.