Here in Scotland, from my little cottage by the sea .. we mainly see 2 species of deer, the Red Deer and the Roe Deer.
Red deer
Red deer are found in woodlands and on moorland, from the coast to the tops of mountains, where they graze on grasses, sedges, heathers and woody species. They occur across most of Scotland but are absent from the Northern Isles and other outlying islands and some parts of the Borders.
Woodland red deer are generally bigger and more productive than hill deer, as they have access to better quality foods and shelter. Hill deer may live in groups of hundreds, while woodland red deer prefer smaller group sizes. Male (stag) and female (hind) groups are usually separate other than during the ‘rut’, when stags fight for hinds with which to mate. This is when you may hear the roar of stags in our glens.
Roe deer
Roe deer are the smallest of our deer. They are widespread on the mainland, occurring right across the country, but are absent from the Western and Northern Isles and many of the islands off the west coast including Arran and Mull. Roe are normally seen in loose family groups or as single animals. Roe prefer woodlands or farmland with permanent cover, but they are increasingly found on open moorland and in urban and suburban areas. Primarily browsers, roe are selective and thrive best in woodland habitats which offer a variety of food including herbs, brambles, ivy, heather, bilberry and coniferous tree shoots.
From February through to mid-August, roe bucks (male deer) are territorial, and thus generally solitary but they may form small groups in winter. Roe does (female deer) are accompanied by kids for most of the year but will actively drive them out before the birth of their next young. Does usually give birth to one or two kids.
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- Go for a woodland walk, explore the textures of bark on trees and leaves and grasses - things that deer love to eat!
- Set up a small world invitation to play with deer
- Take a look for deer tracks in the woodland
- Collect sticks to use as antlers for deer masks
- Read books which have deer in the story
- Look at factual animal books to find out more about deer
- Explore fabrics and soft textures that may feel like a deer skin
- Explore colours of deer through paint and pencils and chalks etc
- Explore the shape of your feet and then look at the shape of deer hooves
- Gallop or run around in the woodland
- Look for things a deer might like to eat
- Has anyone ever seen a deer ? Start a discussion with the children and see where it goes.
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