The Autumn Equinox was this week, but the warm sunny weather continued for a few more days.
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| Nordic Walkers and the aptly-named Long Water, Hampton Court Palace |
On an evening walk this week in Bushy Park, we finished under the light of a full moon, with bats flying around our heads. The park is home to 5 species of bat, but we don't get many opportunities to see them.
One park resident we do see a lot of is the deer. As the rutting season progresses, the stags' behaviour is changing from the docile to the more erratic. These stags were spotted using their antlers to do some weeding in a stream.....
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| Stag in stream, Bushy Park |
... and having a practice tussle with a fallen branch.
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| Practising antler fights |
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| Fallow herd, Home Park |
The bracken is quite dense in places.....
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| Horse-riders in Bushy Park |
... but there is a danger of stumbling across resting deer, so it's advised to give the bracken a wide berth and keep dogs on a lead.
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| Camouflaged stag resting in bracken |
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| Deer in Leg of Mutton Pond, Bushy Park |
One or two older and bigger stags have started collecting females. The younger stags are belatedly realising that they may have 'missed the boat' as very few unattached hinds are available. In the next few weeks the competition for the females should intensify. We already hear the bellowing roar of the bigger stags, warning off the challengers, and soon there should be violent, physical clashes to decide who wins the prize of females and the opportunity to procreate.
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| Deer with young |
If you want to see Nature at close quarters, AND have a workout, I'll be leading Nordic Walks in Bushy Park on most Saturdays. I also organise taster and stroller sessions for complete beginners and novices. There's also occasional walks in the Surrey Hills, which can be a bit more energetic, but usually end near a cafe or pub!
If you wish to join these friendly and sociable groups, please do get in touch.
Peter
07703-404-931
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