Autumn is the season of swirling leaves, vibrant colours, cosy fires, and endless cups of tea. But there’s more to it! Every year, my family and I make our way to Richmond Park, just outside London, to witness one of nature’s most incredible spectacles: the deer rutting season! This year was no exception, and we had the perfect vantage point to experience this breathtaking event.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON is sharing all the insider info on the incredible deer rutting season!
Richmond Park: one of London’s Royal Parks
Let’s start with a little description of Richmond Park, one of London’s eight Royal Parks. Just a short trip from the city by public transport, it’s a paradise for bikers, joggers, and hikers alike!
I love this park because it’s massive – perfect for long forest walks and picnics. It’s wild, with animals roaming free and plenty of trees to climb, ferns to hide under, and wooden huts to explore. (Trust me, kids won’t want to leave!)
Every season has its charm, but my favourites are Spring – when the Isabella Plantation blooms with stunning flowers and the days stretch longer – and Autumn, for the incredible deer rutting season.
This park has it all – whether you’re strolling through its vast spaces or soaking in the wild beauty and tranquility, Richmond Park never disappoints.
Deer-Rutting Season at Richmond Park
Autumn is when the wild red and fallow deer in Richmond Park get into their breeding season. It’s an incredible time to visit, as you’ll hear the stags roaring and see them battling for their harems. It’s honestly one of the best sights of the year, and I try to never miss it!
The rutting season starts in mid-October and goes until mid-November. You will see the stags run like crazy, competing to impress the hinds (female red deer). It’s pretty amazing to witness!
Did you know that before the rut, male deer go through some crazy changes? Their testosterone levels spike, their necks double in size, their larynx sticks out, and even their tongues change shape!
Naturally, the roars are the stags’ way of showing off and scaring off rivals. A deep, loud roar means a bigger stag. These roars help other stags decide if they should even bother, and females use them to pick out the best of the bunch. It’s like a big, dramatic way to impress the ladies!
There’s another funny thing about the roar: if two roars are evenly matched and neither stag retreats, the animals parallel walk to assess their opponent. And if neither deer backs down, they will engage in a shoving match to settle the dispute!
Harems during rutting season
It is quite extraordinary to see these huge groups of wild animals roaming freely, especially considering how close we are to the city. It feels like stepping into a completely different world, just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of London!
Big stags’ goal will be to hold a harem with up to 40 hinds.
Obviously, being the ‘king of the castle’ is no easy job for stags! They spend most of their time chasing off rivals and keeping the hinds close, leaving them hardly any time to eat or sleep.
Meanwhile, the smaller stags hang around, waiting for their chance to swoop in and mate with the hinds when the dominant stag is off battling or worn out. Clever little ones…
Keep your distance during rutting season!
It’s pretty common to see people trying to get up close to the deer for that perfect shot during the breeding season, which amazed me at first but then made me worry for them. You really need to be careful (especially with kids and dogs). Even though it may not look like a wild safari, stags are still wild animals, and they can be pretty unpredictable and risky, especially during the rutting season!
Stay safe and enjoy your visit to the park! Make sure to experience the incredible rutting season from a safe distance (bring binoculars or a big camera lens to get a closer look!). Don’t forget to take in the beautiful landscapes and all the stunning scenery around you – it’s a perfect time to immerse yourself in nature!
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found some inspiration! If you’re planning a trip to Richmond Park to witness the rutting season, I’d love to hear about your experience. Share your thoughts on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON’s blog!
To go further:
Richmond Park: use this postcode, TW10 5HS.
Richmond Park website
Oui , il est étonnant et réjouissant de trouver cette faune sauvage si près de Londres .
Très intéressant reportage. Il manque juste la bande son !
@myriam Thanks for this comment!Will add some sound to the post soon 🙂
Ce magnifique reportage (photos superbes) me va droit au coeur, car nous avons maintenant régulièrement chez nous des biches qui viennent nous rendre visite, remplaçant avantageusement les sangliers ….les dégâts en moins !!!
Merci, bravo à l’artiste-opératrice !
Olivier
@olivier Thanks for this comment!