October at Minsmere means different things to many people. Maybe it’s the first leaves changing colour signalling the arrival of autumn. Or perhaps it will be arrival of winter migrants and the expectation of something rare – a yellow-browed warbler or Pallas’s warbler among the goldcrests maybe?
Given the chill wind today, perhaps October signals the start of winter. Afterall, it’s only three weeks till the clocks change.
For many though, October means deer. Red deer to be specific. For October is when the deer rut takes place. When hormone-filled stags compete for control of harems of hinds and the chance to spread their genes to next generation. When the deep bellow of these impressively large beasts echoes across the heaths.
The deer rut is always a popular spectacle at Minsmere. With one of the largest herds in England, it’s perhaps not a surprise. Especially given that these are largest land mammals in the UK.
Minsmere’s red deer rut guided walks have always been oversubscribed, even though they start at a chilly 7 am! This year we’ve decided to give many more visitors the chance to discover these stunning creatures.
We are opening a special red deer viewing area on Westleton Heath, complete with mobile information point and telescopes. The viewpoint is open for the next three weekends, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 3 pm till dusk. Why not join us and take in the sights and sounds of the deer rut?