Rutting roe deer

Late July and early August is the main rutting period for roe deer and lately there's been lots of activity here at Gibside. A 'courting' pair usually indulge in a prolonged chasing game of follow the leader, the doe leading followed closely by the buck, often nose to tail.  During this chase they will often, on reaching some prominant object such as a tree, bush or stump circle it many times creating a well-worn track known as a 'roe deer-ring'.  Occasionally this may involve more than one object and a figure of eight may be formed.



Ring around a tree stump



Figure of eight and rings around tree-shelters