Fallow Deer - Petworth Park

Following yesterday's blog I had an e-mail from a kind reader suggesting a visit to Petworth might be worthwhile. So with the weather forecast as clement later in the morning I duly went in search of rutting Fallow Deer. Sure enough Petworth is alive with deer but they are much less approachable than the reds in Bushy. However, patience is always rewarded and several nice bucks came close. The rut is not in full swing yet, or I may have missed it, some loud "belching" around the park and some bucks driving the does but no clashing. In fact some of the senior bucks seemed totally uninterested, perhaps some colder weather may liven things up a touch, so a revisit is planned

Rut -  what rut??

 

 

 

Old Lodge (again!!)

I had it in my mind that the Redstarts that I had photographed a couple of months ago lacked a decent shot of a female so I made an early visit to Old Lodge. It was a perfect morning, blue sky, sunny and only a light breeze.  I hadn't rigged the camera as I intended to go straight to the location where I know the Redstarts nest.  About 100 yards in from the gate I was aware of some movement in the gorse - two Fallow Deer and they hadn't heard, seen or smelled me (not that I am aware that I smell strongly). I stood still for a moment and slowly rigged the tripod and camera, being up sun and wind was ideal and they grazed contentedly for some time. I eventually gave the game away because I wanted to find the Redstarts, even so, they slowly walked off, looking at me occasionally just to make sure I was leaving. 

Fallow deer

Fallow deer

Fallow deer

The Redstarts performed admirably. I found the male first and he finally came into about 25 ft to pose, the female wasn't so obliging and I left them in search of more subjects. Unfortunately I couldn't find another pair so I contented myself observing the antics of the Spotted Flycatchers.

Common Redstart (f)

Common Redstart (m)

Spotted Flycatcher

Common Redstart (f)

Common Redstart (f)

Common Redstart (f) and (juv)

Common Redstart (juv)

Common Redstart (m)

Common Redstart (m)

Common Redstart (juv)

When I returned to the Redstarts the female was in company with two juveniles, both of which were feeding themselves. A real bonus then appeared, a pair of Bullfinches fairly close, unfortunately the female was always obscured but the male posed nicely.

Bullfinch (m)

Bullfinch (f)

And of course the usual suspects

Usual suspect No.1 - Stonechat

Usual suspect No.2 - Bunny

Usual suspect No.3 - Woodlark - not bad camouflage!