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Wednesday, 6 January 2016

Norwegian Fallow Deer - distribution

Managed to find a small group of the Norwegian Fallow Deer this morning near Stanton. Two stags with fine sets of antlers and three younger males. The antlers look slightly orange at this time of year.
I've done an approximate distribution map of these Black or Norwegian Fallow Deer and I'd be interested to hear of any sightings outside this area or where I have put the question marks.
I've never seen any of these deer east of the River Derwent but have seen them either side of the River Wye near Haddon Hall and I think they must cross the Wye somewhere in this area. I was uncertain of their occurrence in Manners Wood until Martin Derbyshire caught several animals on camera traps. They are also now seen in the Coombs Road area and I wonder if they have moved into this area relatively recently.
Norwegian Fallow Deer
Approximate distribution of Norwegian Fallow Deer

38 comments:

  1. Great pictures Andy. I've been meaning to get out with the cameras again as I'm wondering about Muntjac in the area.

    P.S. Also great shots of the SEO's. Is dusk a good time to spot them?

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  2. Thanks Martin, the only report I have heard of Muntjac was apparently on the track above Lumb Lane a couple of years ago. Camera traps are probably the best bet.
    Mid-afternoon (2pm onwards) probably best for Short-eared at the moment.

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  3. Correct name for male fallow deer is a buck and not a stag.

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  4. Thanks for that, I think I've made that mistake before
    Andy

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  5. Hi Andy I have seen the Norwegian fallow deer a number of times in the evening on the track upto cratcliffe and robinhoods stride from the parking on b5056. I have in fact just seen one today

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  6. brilliant to have this blog to document the fallow. i had no idea we had any around here until recently. I saw a bunch of does above rowsley in the woods to the left of where it says rowlsey on your map. WHere is the best spot to see the bucks, and where do they spend their spring? I'm off on a search for them and their cast antlers tomorrow any help would be appreciated. Give me a reply or text me if you want to keep their destination a secret. cheers
    07729462937

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  7. Hi Harry, apologies for the delay in responding just got back from France.
    There are several places where the bucks congregate; Clough Wood is a popular spot but they are difficult to view in the woodland. The fields north of Dale View Quarry and the fields on the right of the road below Stanton in Peak heading down to the B5056 opposite Stanton Hall are also good areas

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  8. Yes Andy ...we live above Snitterton and had four in the garden this morning... regular visitors and have been for at least the last 11 years we've lived here.
    We're a good mile or so closer to Matlock than Wensley...right up on the hill and they eat in our garden :)
    contact me if you need to... tsaunders@leawoodtech.com

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  9. Thanks for that, their range clearly extends a bit further south than I have it on my map.

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  10. I go and see them every week in the small woods straight across enthovens in darley bridge. I get really close to them too even when walking my dog. Love seeing them and managed to get a good close up photo with my sister camera last Sunday. I'm yet to see a big buck though. Also saw them in clough wood a number of times.

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  11. Seen at Meadow Place Wood this morning

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  12. Is there a way we can share our images with you? I take photos of the deer round Stanton, regularly.
    Have some from this morning!

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    1. You can alway e-mail me at andysbutler@aol.com
      Regards
      Andy

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    2. We were walking the Heritage trail from Darley Dale to Matlock today, and were on the West side of the river, nearer Martock saw two large black deer with huge antlers. Beautiful! Never seen them before so very excited.

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  13. Charles Smith-Jones28 November 2019 at 16:08

    Good afternoon. I'm intrigued by the name of 'Norwegian' fallow deer - can you possibly tell me where this comes from, or where you first came across it?

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  14. Not entirely sure but I've seen several references to black Fallow Deer originating in Norway, this is from the Derbyshire Mammal Group web site;

    'Further introductions to Great Britain took place later, including some dark-coloured or black animals from Norway for James I.'

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  15. There are lots of fallow deer on Cannock Chase with black colouring but I'd never heard of Norwegian Black Fallow Deer until today so I don't know if it's a variation of the normal herd or one you are looking for

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  16. I’ve been walking in Wesley today and spotted a group of these deer. What a wonderful sight.

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    1. Edge of somewhere
      22 September 2020 at 19:34
      Alan J Rodwell.
      Tuseday 22nd September 6.14
      Black Norwegian Fallow deer Doe and Fawn 2off
      Lee's road just south of Stanton Moor
      Have a 30 sec video.
      mogog19@hotmail.co.uk

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  17. Alan J Rodwell.
    Tuseday 22nd September 6.14
    Black Norwegian Fallow deer Doe and Fawn 2off
    Lee's road just south of Stanton Moor
    Have a 30 sec video.
    mogog19@hotmail.co.uk

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  20. Just seen a buck and about 5 does in the contaminated slag piles opposite Enthoven’s . They often come and eat in the garden in Darley Bridge

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  21. Hi, haven’t walked into enthovens hoping to see deer, our attempt was thwarted by some noisy tree felling. Tho walking out and across the road above cross green I saw a silhouette of a buck on top of oker hill by the trig... amazing to see would’ve made an amazing photo!

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  22. I've seen them several times on Harthill Moor (area North of Dale End on your map) in summer, most recently a group of half a dozen bucks last May. I think they're also up on Bonsall Moor sometimes in winter.

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  23. Yes, definitely cross the B5056 onto Harthill Moor - seen there more than once in the last month.

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  24. Hi, I saw 2 bucks yesterday on Bonsall Moor, just south of Blakelow Hill at SK255590

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  25. Hi Saw a herd of about 20 in field between Clough Wood and Sabine Hay Wood

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  26. Had one deer alone in my front garden in the middle of Bakewell. Stunning.

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  27. I saw 5 at Pikehall/Newhaven area last week. I think they were all does or young males.

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  28. Don't know if this blog still works but there were 18 black fellows grazing next to Nine Stones Close on Wednesday 7th June

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  29. We often see them in the fields between Youlgreave and Elton. There was a stunning black buck with his growing antlers between Elton and Robin Hoods stride on our walk today

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  30. I didn't know what species they were, searched, found this. Saw three today, one buck with antlers, between Cork Stone and the quarry.

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  31. One buck and two does today in valley between Elton and Robin Hood's Stride

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  32. Hi Andy. We have just moved to Oker Terrace, which overlooks Oker Hill toward Riber Castle and Bonsall. I see them from my front bedroom in the evening. We thought they were unusual, as they looked nearly black. Then we googled it and came across your blog.

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  33. Hi Andy, we live in Oker we regularly see these deer in the woods that circle Oker Hill. They often spend the night in the copse along side our house. Also, we sometimes see them in the fields west of a line between Aston Lane, snitterton Hall and Leawood Cottage. Haven't seen them east of this line.

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  34. We have loads walking round our factory site in Darley dale.

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  35. It's a really shame that the deer are being murdered on the Haddon Hall estate by the game keepers Alec Neville and Rob Ackin .

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