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Wildlife - Deer
There
are a wide variety of deer - often seen wandering around the grounds
of Aspenwood looking for tasty morsels to eat - usually our plants.
Sika, fallow or roe deer will be seen regularly. They will trigger off
the outside security lights for a while as they wander round. They are
as curious about you as you will be about them so they are not easily
alarmed.
Please respect the fact that you are in ‘their’ garden.
This sika deer was ambling through the woodland below the cottage munching on the undergrowth and was not too alarmed by the sight of humans. Sika deer are easily recognized by the white heart shaped patch on their rump. When alarmed this white area can double in size.
This young roe deer was quite bold and I was able to get about 4 feet
away to take this photo. The next day he turned up with mum who,
naturally, was very protective. A few days later the whole family turned
up to graze. Unfortunately it was pouring with rain and I was unable
to take a photo of the magnificent stag. A roe deer has a creamy coloured
patch on its rump.
Pregnant deer eating for two. She came back a month later with her new offspring.
We
saw this magnificent red deer stag on our journey to Applecross on the
west coastguarding his heard of hinds in the rough heather and bracken
moorland.
There are numerous herds of rather scruffy wild deer roaming about in the less well known and accessible parts of the Highlands – you just have to get out in the car and explore. Last year we explored the west coast and some of the inland and sea lochs. The views were amazing and the wildlife aplenty – all on your doorstep.
Red
deer often referred to as the
Monarch of the Glen live in the moorland by the River Findhorn on the
Coignafearn estate - about 30 miles away driving over mountainous terrain-
where herds can be clearly spotted.
On the back road to Daviot in the hamlet of Aberarder you will pass Woodside Cottage and if you look into the enclosed garden area you should see a lovely doe. We often wondered how the deer came to be here and wrote to the owners. They replied with her story.
The story of Bonnie the deer
A tiny 2 day old deer was found beside her dead mother on the hillside
in the forest nearby and the keeper took her home. She was fed with lambs
milk in a baby's bottle and was very nervous. The owners devoted a lot
of time and TLC to her. When she was weaned she was put out with the
other wild deer calves hoping that she would be accepted and mothered
by another adult deer back ‘in the wild’. Three times she
returned to the house where she has now lived for the past 8 years in
her special 'home' in their large garden. She is now very tame and bossy
at times to their dogs. She loves shortbread and crisps and is thoroughly
spoilt.
Look out for her in the garden of Woodside Cottage on your way to Inverarnie
or Daviot. She will come running over when called by her name.
