The best time to see deer is at dusk or dawn. Generally male and females remain in separate groups until it is time for mating.
Red Deer: Rut September to October. Red deer have been observed throughout the East Anglian region but rutting has specifically been reported at Minsmere reserve and Thetford forest. Events have been organised to observe rutting in previous years, check the
RSPB and
Forestry Commission websites for more information. Young red deer are born in early June.
Roe Deer: Rut July to August. The have embryonic diapause (which means the embryo waits to develop) so they don’t give birth until May/June. Roe deer can be seen in the Thetford Forrest.
Fallow Deer: Rut October to November and fawns are born May to June. A large herd can be seen at
Holkham Estate.
Chinese Water Deer: Rut November to December and fawns are born in May and June. They may be seen at
NWT Hickling Broad and
Strumpshaw Fen.