On the fifth day of Christmas my true love sent to me...

...5 red deer!

 

Red deer (Cervus elaphus) are the largest terrestrial mammals found in Britain. This group consisting of a stag and four female deer, known as hinds, was photographed on the Eastern Moors of the Peak District during the autumn rut. The stag pictured can be seen emitting a loud and low pitched bellowing sound, known as 'bolving'. This call is used to attract hinds, and also to warn off other stags who might be interested in mating with 'his' hinds. 
 

4  hare prints, 

 

3 lizards, 

 

 

 

2 mating toads,

 

and a bilberry bumblebee! 

 

 

Wildlife photos from Crisis event - part 2

Last Friday was the second 'Creative Conservation' Community Science event with Crisis members from Sheffield. Member Steve Smith has shared this set of cracking wildlife shots he took on the day:

One of the highlights of the day was a close encounter with this roe buck near Longshaw estate

Another shot, as the roe deer makes a hasty exit...

A beautiful reed bunting seen singing in a patch of soft rush

Just one of the hundreds of millipedes all making their way along the path in Burbage Valley



A stunning meadow pipit; in a classic pose!