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.

Males are larger than females and have short antlers located to the front of their forehead, usually with three points.

Typically occur in open, deciduous, mixed or coniferous woodlands

All year round

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.

Native to Scotland but now found in many parts of England; it remains scarce in certain areas such as Kent, parts of the Midlands and parts of Wales.

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).