20 September β 31 October
dates recorded for this region, not shifted from anywhere
Forest edge at first and last light, standing still until you have walked past.
Roe deer are the classic delayed-implantation species: mated in July, the embryo sits dormant until December so that birth lands in May. A fawn found alone in grass has not been abandoned β the doe is feeding nearby and will not return while you are there.
photos, sightings and recordings, off this site
where this species is on the list
| Phase | When | Length | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| raising young | 20 May β 24 June | 36 days | Dependent young in the nest, den or burrow, being fed. |
| young out of the den | 25 June β 24 July | 30 days | Young out of the nest or den, but still fed and followed by the adults. |
| courting | 25 July β 24 August | 31 days | Song, display, fighting, scent-marking β pairs forming or reaffirming. |
| pregnant | 25 August β 19 September | 26 days | Pregnant. Nothing to see from outside, which is why the dates matter. |
| moulting | 20 September β 31 October | 42 days | Feathers or coat replaced. Many birds go quiet and hide while it happens. |
| going about the year | 1 November β 19 May | 200 days | Feeding, holding territory, doing nothing the calendar singles out. |