The heaths and woods of coastal Suffolk will shortly resound with deep-throated roars and the clash of antler upon antler as the annual red deer rut commences.
At RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, near Westleton, the sight of the UK’s largest land mammal is increasingly familiar, but autumn is the best time to observe these impressive creatures.
A Red Deer Viewpoint on Westleton Heath will be staffed by the RSPB from 3.30 pm to dusk at weekends from Saturday 24 September to Sunday 23 October as part of their Autumnwatch event.
RSPB staff and volunteers will show visitors rutting red deer through binoculars and telescopes, as the stags battle for supremacy and control of a harem of females.
RSPB spokesman Ian Barthorpe said, “The red deer rut is one of nature’s most spectacular events. The almost prehistoric bellows of stags sends shivers down the spine of watching humans. If these roars and the accompanying posturing aren’t enough for a stag to assert his authority, then violent clashes of antlers may follow. The force with which they charge each other is incredible.
“Minsmere is fantastic place to discover nature and the Autumnwatch theme to our events reflects the broad range of other species likely to be on view. Visitors may be lucky enough to spot a fox or stoat stalking the hundreds of rabbits, a shy stone-curlew capitalising on its superb camouflage, or a green woodpecker probing for ants in short turf.”
The red deer rut viewpoint is free. Car parking will be in the Natural England car park on Westleton Heath. The viewpoint is a gentle half mile walk from there, and will be signed.
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The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England & Wales no 207076, Scotland no SC037654
RSPB Minsmere is open daily, dawn to dusk. The visitor centre opens from 9 am to 5 pm. Entry to the visitor centre is free. There is a charge for non-members to use the nature trails and birdwatching hides.
The Minsmere Discover Nature Project, a major improvement to visitor facilities, events and interpretation, begins in September 2012. All new facilities will be open by spring 2012. For further details please check www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere.
The RSPB would like to thank the following organisations for their support in helping to fund the Minsmere Discover Nature Project: the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF); Natura People, part financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the INTERREG IV A 2 Mers Seas Zeeën Crossborder Programme 2007-2013; East of England Development Agency; Waste Recycling Group through the Suffolk Environmental Trust; Essex & Suffolk Water; Suffolk Coastal District Council’s Economic Development Support Fund; and additional funding from RSPB supporters and donors.
The Environment Agency’s Minsmere sea defence project begins in July and is scheduled for completion by February 2012. For further details please check www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere.
