Roe Deer - Capreolus capreolus

This medium-sized deer is reddish brown in colour during summer but becomes grey, pale brown or even black in winter. They have a large white or cream rump patch, which becomes less obvious or even absent during the winter. The female patch is an inverted heart-shape and the male patch is an inverted kidney-shape.  The small tail is usually well hidden in the centre of the patch.  Distinctive black moustache and white chin.

Males are larger than females and have short antlers located to the front of their forehead, usually with three points. The antlers are shed from October to January and the new pair, which begins to grow immediately, is covered in 'velvet', furred skin. Young Roe Deer (called 'kids') have spotted coats for the first 6 weeks of life.

Sika deer

Field signs similar to Fallow deer

Adult Slots (hoof prints) , Droppings

White or cream rump, male with short antlers with no more than 3 points to front of forehead, red-brown coat in summer and grey in winter, distinctive black moustache and a white chin

Hoof prints (slots) are an inverted hear-shape with outer toe slightly above inner toe.  Toes are sometimes splayed out in soft ground or when running and dew claws at rear not always shown.  Can over-step their prints (i.e. one on top of another) when walking.

Clear photograph of adult - with rump if possible

All field signs require clear photographs with an indication of size

Typically occur in open, deciduous, mixed or coniferous woodlands

All year round

roe deer can live up to 16 years but most only live to ~ 7 years in the wild.  The 'rut' occurs in mid July-August when breeding takes place and males defend their territories.  Females become pregnant but delay their implantation until early January and give birth to twins (sometimes triplets) from mid-May to mid-June.  They are generally solitary animals or live in small groups with larger groups forming during winter when they can be seen feeding together.  Young females will establish ranges close to their mothers whilst juvenile males are forced to disperse more widely.

Native to Scotland but now found in many parts of England and have spread significantly since the 1970s.

This deer is now well-established in areas with good woodland cover such as north-west Leicestershire (Charnwood Forest), central Leicestershire (Leighfield Forest) and parts of Rutland.  They can be observed as individuals (generally males) or in small groups (usually several females and their young).