Hi everyone, a new member (and novice stalker) here from the UK seeking advice.

On Saturday 28th February I observed the following.

In a large field of oilseed rape I watched a roe doe running in circles closely followed by a buck that was clean of velvet. A second buck, also clean of velvet, joined in the circle chasing, only to be challenged by the first buck in a head to head clash. The second buck backed off but still maintained in the circling only some yards back.

I watched this behavior for about 5 minutes at approx 30 – 50 yards away before they all moved off into the woods.

I would have expected to see this activity during mating, not this early in the year.

I only mentioned the two bucks being clean of velvet, as one other buck seen that week end was still in velvet.

I would appreciate comments from experienced stalkers on the above.

Thank you
Backworth Bob

What you see is what you see!
The deer don't read the DSC manuals or the calendar. They march to the music of a different drum and follow the flow of nature.
It may be evidence of a shift of activity pattern due to global warming but I doubt one instance holds great significance.
It may be because of the recent warm few days following a cold spell.
Certainly, that encouraged a few brave bumble bees to leave hibernation and seek new nesting sites.
All the wildfowl down here are pairing up and starting to nest.
I think your deer are just doing what comes naturally

Bob,

I'm by no way knowledgable about Roe, but I would hazard a guess that he buk you saw in Velvet was one of the last years fawns which was growing its first head. We start to get Fallow with the same trait in the next few weeks.

IIRC, there is a particular name for this early antler formation and it is often cast early and the buck grows its first proper head.

Of course I could have dreamt this all up so I'll bow to the bbetter informed members of the forum!!

Rgds,
FB

Warmer springlike weather brought out two bucks that were challenging for that territory. Should continue for another month or so (I hope)

Presence of velvet is dependant on age, ground etc, not unusual to see various stages in the same herd.

Thanks for the information.

Nothing to get excited about so it seems – but it did excite me.

"Nothing to get excited about so it seems – but it did excite me."

When it stops making your heart beat faster, maybe its time to pack up..........so good for you mate

To any one who is interested in finding out about the ecology of Roe deer might I suggest you get a copy of Richard Priors' book
The Roe Deer
Conservation of a Species
1995 (Swan-Hill Press).
It's a very good starting point.