This is really important with the deer currently nurturing their young.

There’s an important warning I need to share from Chasewater Rangers about the local deer population – not just at Chasewater, but all though our area from the heaths of North Walsall to Cannock Chase.

In the last few days deer have been reported locally at Sandhills and near Stonnall. I saw muntjac much to my surprise at Little Hay a few weeks ago.

As the days move on to high summer, the females will be straying from their normal herd groupings and places to find quiet cover to give birth, and then they’ll be quite protective of their young.

If you’re lucky you’ll see fawns as they become mobile and believe me, they have cute in bucketloads – but if you find one alone, heed the notice of the warning above; leave well alone and don’t touch because momma will be back!

These bathing beauties were spotted taking a dip in the canal near Chasewater on Friday 9th June by good pal and top fellow blogger Linda Mason.

Also, please do control your dogs. This is true at any time especially at Chasewater where morons with out of control animals every year are responsible for scared dear and disturbed nesting birds – please don’t be like them; control your hounds please.

This is, however a great time of year to spot deer if you’re responsible, and who knows you may spot them bathing like Angela Morris did last year when she recorded the following footage. My thanks to Angela for sharing it.

I think almost everyone hereabouts love the deer, and they are wonderful to watch. Please do, but do so responsible – and feel free to share any footage you create!

Thanks, all.