Raby Castle
One of England’s Finest
Mediaeval Castles
Deer Park
The 200 acre (80ha) deer park surrounding Raby Castle has Red deer, the largest British wild land mammal, and the smaller Fallow deer - both herds containing the desendants of deer preserved in this area since Norman times.Fascinating Creatures
The Red deer change their behaviour through the seasons as the male (stag) and the female (hind) separate during the summer only to rejoin for the mating season, or 'rut', in autumn.
It can also be seen how the deer change as they grow, loosing their spots after six weeks, with the males growing antlers in their first spring, which grow bigger each year until their fourth year when they become an 'eight pointer' with four points on each antler.
Black, Mottled and Fallow Deer
The Black (actually dark grey in colour), Mottled (with white spots), and White Fallow deer at Raby Park are all recognisable by their clubbed, rather than pointy, antlers.
Please do not touch!
From May to July each year, roe kids, fallow fawns and red calves will be born. It is vital that people do not pick them up, move, or even touch them, as any human scent which remains on the young deer may deter the mother from returning to feed her young. It is also very important that you keep your dogs on short leads at this time of year in areas which may be inhabited by deer. It is quite normal for young deer to be left on their own for long periods of time - THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDONED!
If you would like to know more about deer and their welfare, visit the British Deer Society website at www.bds.org.uk
web site developed by Redburn Consultancy