Watch red deers on moorland as new rutting season begins

On Tuesday, October 29 the ‘Red Deer in Love and at War’ walk will take people along Curbar and White edges, looking for deer within the moorland landscape.

Then, on Sunday, November 3, the ‘Red Deer Watch’ event will give families an “opportunity to feel close to the action, using telescopes and binoculars to view the exciting activity and see which stag gets the girl”.

Both sessions are taking place within the Eastern Moors, part of the Peak District National Park.

Katherine Clarke, visitor services manager for the Eastern Moors Partnership, said: “Red deer are our largest British wild mammal but so many people don’t realise they are here on the Eastern Moors.

“They are so camouflaged people walk straight past them.

“The deer rut is a time where the deer are possibly at their most visible and we want to give people an opportunity to view them at their finest.

“We hope people will join us and find out more about this stunning beast living right on their doorstep.”

The rutting season takes place from late September to November.

Stags compete for access to the hinds – the female red deer – by engaging in displays of dominance.

Hinds then give birth to single calves from late May to June.

‘Red Deer in Love and at War’ will set off at 9.30am from Curbar Gap car park, returning by 1pm.

The cost is £5 per person, payable in advance, and booking is essential.

Red Deer Watch sessions, meanwhile, will run from 10am until 12noon and from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.

The cost is £3, also payable in advance.

To book a place on either event, contact the team by email on [email protected] or by calling 07738 738844.

A spokesman for the Eastern Moors Partnership, which is a partnership between the RSPB and the National Trust, said: “For both events, please wear appropriate outdoor clothing for the weather, long trousers and sturdy footwear.

“Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.”