Tag: deer

March 27th – Heading on an errand to Burntwood, I passed through Chasetown, past the Church Street open space, where the red deer seem to take refuge when Chasewater is busy. There were a small group of nine or ten animals, loafing and grazing contentedly, seemingly oblivious to a dog running around nearby. They were not bothered by my approach, either and were content to allow me to photograph them.

I adore the old lady with the wonky ear – I’ve seen her before and she’s quite the star. I also note the herd are going into moult, hence the patchiness of their coats.

Such a joy to see these wonderful creatures.

February 15th – My deer magnet is currently working well.

I stopped in Shelfield to catch the sunset, and came upon a herd of red deer near Coppice Woods on Green Lane.

They were comfortably loafing, and showed slight interest in me, but weren’t overly bothered. I still can’t believe these wonderful creatures roam free in out countryside.

A wonderful, and unexpected sight. Shame the light wasn’t better!

March 13th – Always nice to see the deer; this large herd were between Norton Bog and Cuckoo bank, and didn’t seem much bothered by me al all, eventually being scared off by a the noise of a siren on  the nearby main road.

It was quite misty so the photos aren’t as clear as I’d like.

They look healthy and content.

March 6th – On roads across Cannock Chase, an experiment is underway. These wooden staves with white bags on top are a trial to see if they reduce vehicle-deer road collisions in the area.

It was discovered accidentally in the US that deer were apparently deterred by the sight of a white bag on a post, although nobody knows why, deer experts who’ve tried this have found it appears to work – it will be very interesting to see if the tactic works here, too.

My overriding feeling is the deer will probably get used to it, and they have to cross the roads somewhere, so I can’t see much long term benefit, but it’s a very interesting experiment and I salute the rangers for trying it out.

January 24th – An awful image, snatched at dusk through a hedgerow at Newtown, Brownhills: four red deer females loafing and grazing in the field between the canal and Chase Road.

After years of seeing them around Brownhills, I’m still not over the frisson of noticing them: they feel so out of place and exotic, even though this is their home.

A lovely thing on an otherwise dull day.

November 8th – My sombre mood was lifted on the way home by 13 red deer spotted loafing near Chasewater. The young stag seemed to have been fitted with antlers tuned for both DAB and FM, but he was a proud fellow. Sadly, the awful light prevented better photos but this healthy, relaxed herd was beautiful to see.

Just what I needed.

October 25th – This momma deer and her two calves – a yearling and this year’s – were happily browsing on the common when I spotted them. Nervous, all but the little one hid for a while, then braved my camera.

Lovely creatures, in good health, by the looks. I loved the colours in the youngest’s coat.

August 9th – I was riding along The Sportway in Burntwood, the access road to the Rugby Club, that runs alongside the Chasewater Railway. Just on the bend before Chasewater Heaths, a group of four red deer – three adults and a fawn – had heard an approaching train, and were making a sharp exit into the thicket.

They needn’t have worried. The trains here don’t go fast, being a preserved line…

July 30th – Coming home from Shenstone, I noticed the harvest had started at Lynn, and the grain trailers were filling, clouds of corn-dust blowing over the fields and that familiar scent in the air. 

At Sandhills, the first blackberries ripen by the roadside, while the oats at Home Farm have already been harvested. Interestingly, when I took the photo of Ogley Hay church over the fields, I didn’t spot the red deer in shot…