Red Deer river crossing - Chatsworth

On Sunday there was a report of a Great White Egret at Chatsworth which is the first record I can recall from this area. Given the exponential increase in the population in the south of the country and their gradual spread northwards its a bird that we can expect to see more of in the future. Anyway, no sign this morning, but I did just catch a group of Red Deer crossing the Derwent which is always nice to see. 
The Great Grey Shrike was still on the moors this afternoon at the northern end of Flash Lane but otherwise a rather dull, grey day.

Red Deer

Red Deer river crossing - Chatsworth

I just caught the Red Deer herd at Chatsworth crossing the river this morning, it looked like just over 50 animals which is most of the herd I think.
There is still a male Shoveler on Emperor Lake along with single female Goldeneye and Goosander but no Crossbill. It must be a month since I've seen any. and then it was only a couple of birds, so it's not looking like a good year for them locally.

Red Deer

Red Deer Rut - Big Moor

Made my first trip of the autumn up to Big Moor to have a look at the Red Deer rut. Many of the big males already have their hinds in tow and there was a lot of bellowing but the light was poor first thing.

Red Deer stag

Red Deer - Beeley Moor

Whilst there now appears to be a small established Red Deer population in the Whitesprings / Flash Lane area they are not frequently seen on the open moor. These three hinds looked like they were set to cross the road but then moved off towards Fallinge Edge followed by two young males.
A walk around Chatsworth produced a couple of female Gooseander on Emperor Lake, three Mandarin, 6 Tufted Duck and 20 Teal at Swiss Lake and a few scattered Brambling during the walk.

Red Deer

Red Deer stag Big Moor video clip

Took a short video clip of a Red Deer stag on Big Moor this evening.

Red Deer rut - Big Moor

It's the start of the rutting season for the Red Deer. This superb stag had around 50 hinds with him along with a mix of younger stags.

Red Deer

Red Deer at dusk - Chatsworth

I've been to Chatsworth the last couple of evenings with James looking for the Red Deer. We found this stag with about 30 hinds and I managed to catch it bellowing and exhaling a cloud of water vapour just as the sun was going down.

Red Deer

Red Deer at sunset

James took this photo at Chatsworth a couple of days ago, very atmospheric.

Red Deer

Red Deer stags - Chatsworth

This was part of a herd of about 30 males at Chatsworth.

Red Deer