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Chris Blakely sent us these delightful photos of a mother roe deer and her fawn, with the note: “Came across agitated Roe deer today at Sutherland lodge. Hung about until she calmed down then got views as close as twenty yards.
Being patient does pay off !!”

Deer expert Mike Wilson says: “Looks like a buck fawn but very difficult to be sure. As you will have noticed, the doe is midway to her chestnut summer coat.”

Coincidentally there was an item on the BBC Springwatch today about fawns: apparently soon after birth it is quite normal for the doe to leave the fawn hidden in the vegetation while she goes and feeds, returning to the fawn later. So, if you should happen to be lucky enough to find a young fawn on its own, it has not been abandoned and you should not approach it too closely or touch it – the mother will be nearby and will return to it once you have gone.

Photos © Chris Blakeley 2009