Red Deer Rut - Bushy Park

Today I made a visit to Bushy Park, mainly to observe the Red Deer rut which is in full swing at the moment. Not for me the Highlands and Islands of Scotland or the wild wastes of Exmoor, just an old Deer Park in London. Firstly, I have to say it was highly educational and most entertaining. Be under no illusions these are truly wild beasts and although used to close human approaches the rut changes everything. The eligible stags become testosterone supercharged sex maniacs with just one aim - to fight everyone in the neighbourhood and end up with the largest harem.

When I arrived at sun up and parked the car in the car park to the east of the Diana fountain I was greeted by the sound of bellowing stags all around the park. The hinds were grazing peacefully, some by the main road through the park, others in the bracken. Soon enough a large stag appeared and it was obvious from his demeanour that he was spoiling for a fight, another smaller stag fancied his chances and the ritual started. Lots of parallel walking and bellowing, no real combat just posturing but you just knew that something would happen. There were lots of photographers present and no doubt they had read the rules and advice on the Royal Parks website - keep your distance. The clear blue sky resulted in an early morning mist and things were perfect. Having taken lots of silhouettes  and backlit misty ethereal shots I manoeuvred to get some front sunlight shots, then it happened, a jogger ran within ten yards of one of the stags, to say the stag took exception is an understatement, a massive charge and the guy took refuge behind a tree, unfortunately the stag started to run round the tree desperate to get at him. Finally shouting for help he climbed the tree, great drama photographed by the onlookers. Someone took pity on him and called the police who duly drove away the stag and released the shaken victim. As a witness I gave a full statement in support of the stag  - the jogging plonker should have been locked up.

See the video taken by another photographer  here

Testosterone supercharged??  with an undercarriage like that - definitely




Annoyed? - you bet I am

Heeeeelp!

Later a walkabout showed that there were many more deer present, mostly in the bracken and obviously not taking part in the rut - being somewhat junior I guess.

Additional bonuses with close ups of a very obliging Little Owl and of course the ever present Ring-necked Parakeets which make an excruciating noise.

There are lots of small waterways crossing the park which hold a variety of wildlife,

All I can say - "Thoroughly Recommended" - apparently there are more incidents with the deer in Bushy than Richmond Park - you takes your pick