Encounters with Deer

Driving back from work along the country lanes between Newark and Orston. Pitch black, headlights on full, winding my way home. A pair of jewels caught in the glare. The shape of an animal comes into view. A deer. Hugging the hedge line, contemplating a crossing. Walking with Zara along the footpath that skirts Kilvington Lake. Mid morning, thick mud, motorbike tracks, walking boots and wellies. And then a definite hoof print. Then more, some small. Others nearer the size of a kiwi fruit. We follow them for half an hour then they disappear down a steep, slippery bank. A trip out to RSPB Langford Lowfields – a half-mile walk from the car park to the lakes. We stop on the verge to let some people pass and there is hair on the floor at our feet. It seems to stop short of the fence. We look about and its caught in the top twists. As we step back we see hoof prints a couple of feet before and after. A deer had jumped the 3ft wire fence!

Zara and I are walking back into the village along Smite Lane. Broad daylight. Something catches our eye to the left in the field that borders The Hall. Its racing towards us. It swerves as if startled and then appears from under the hedge just across the road in front of us. A muntjac deer. It stops. Looks at us (for what seemed like 10 minutes!). Then crosses the road and speeds off through the wooded area on the right.