A family deer walk today at minsmere.

shei111 · #1 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 05:37 PM

Hello to you all, its been a very damp day today and cloudy, so we decided to go to minsmere again my husband and son one way and the 4 year old grandson lewis and me the other way . We had only just started walking and I just looked to left about 10 feet away and saw a little muntjac standing about 18 inches tall, I could hardly believe we were so close to him I couldnt say anything to lewis for fear of it diving further into the gorse so I grabbed his arm of his jacket and quickly pointed to the underdrowth , we both stood with our mouths open we were close plus the animal just stood still, wow we both couldnt believe it. We walked on further and came across a herd of female reddeer all grazing on the dead brown bracken there was about 25 to 35 in that herd, we tend to find very recent droppings and foot marks in the wet and very soon after that we usually find some. My husband and son saw approx 100 to 125 deer in one group , he only as a 5.1 pixel sony so cant get proper photos . Lewis is very interested in the different shape foot prints of the animals , and also wait for it the poo !! because we then are more able to see which deer was there. My husband wasnt over delighted when lewis got his little bag of dung out to ask which animal done that. I suppose its a good way to learn about wildlife, and we dont really mind getting our hands dirty in the countryside do we !!! sheila

Rob T · #2 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 06:09 PM

Lovley story Sheila, with Lewis's facination in mind keep a look out around the Muntjac area as these little blokes tend to make a pile from their droppings, not alot of good for tracking but great for little boys when they find the pile.

Tell your husband not to worry about his 5.1 Sonny as I have some expensive equipment and still cant get decent shots.

Keep enjoying your walks and keep stalking those Deer.

Regards

Rob

shei111 · #3 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 06:31 PM

Hello Rob thanks for replying to my post, I dont know if you can tell me or any other member do muntjacs poo look torpedo shape ?

Rob T · #4 (**permalink**) 20-01-2008, 08:08 PM

Hi Sheila,

Yes I can help you there ( Im currently tracking one down in the New Foret )Their poo or (fewmets) are egg shape with a flat end and about 20mm. long with both the male and female dropping and urinating in the same place/ pile.

The male and female tend to stay together and enjoy contact, licking and grooming one another unlike the larger deer, but dont think their soppy as a Muntjac doe will see off a boar badger twice her weight.

Hope this helps

Regards
Rob

tigger · #5 (**permalink**) 21-01-2008, 06:23 AM

Glad to hear you all managed to get out and see the deer.

Don't worry I was fasinated by "droppings" when I was little. Every time we went for a walk it would be "look! look! animal droppings mummy!". Mum didn't know what the droppings were but she played along....and nurtured my love of wildlife (of which I'm very grateful)

I'm now 44. Still fascinated in wild animals & droppings!

I hope you managed to sort out your video problem.

Jane

Hobjob · #6 (**permalink**) 22-01-2008, 11:30 AM

The Minsmere herd of reddeer is reputed to be largest herd outside Scotland - the boys tend to go inland out of rut, so you won't often see them on the reserve outside Oct and Nov, but lots of females, and of courfse babies soon.

Its amazing how the little Muncjacs have become human tolerant over the nearly 30 years I have lived in the area. In the old days you only ever saw their white tails, now they'll happily watch you from 10m.