Are roe deer using plant secondary metabolites to condition their fur and skin against biotic and abiotic stress?

Roe deer are usually very stealthy and it can be difficult to spot them at all. They can move around very quietly and they can stand completely still blending in with their surrounding forested environment. However, during spring (March - May), I have observed several roe deer who have been almost forcefully breaking through thickets …

Roe deer females – exercising during pregnancy?

The roe deer females have been more difficult to spot over the last two months as they have resumed a stealthier, more concealed lifestyle in the riparian forest habitats sticking close to the shelter of deciduous trees and shrubs. However, I have been able to observe them at times and on, a few of such …

Roe deer male territorial vocalizations – 3 phases (spring observation summary)

In this post, I would like to propose that roe deer male spring territoriality is characterized by three stages: Resuming territoriality (frequent patrolling vocalizations); Confirming territorial configuration (less frequent patrolling vocalizations characterized by neighbour-neighbour interactions); Established territories (rare and brief vocalizations). I could classify these stages according to month in which they occurred in 2024 …

Roe deer observations in April – foraging preferences

This is a very brief post to note that, during April, as the forest edge and forest undergrowth woody plant species began budding approximately during the same time as forbs and grasses were growing new shoots on grasslands, the roe deer (both males and females but mainly females) appeared to prefer woody browse over the …

Roe deer observation (Apr 29 and May 1, 2024) – conversation between two neighbours

Recently I related my observation of five territorial males (who were also neighbours) holding a barking session - a behaviour I had never witnessed before (Roe deer observation (Apr 26, 2024) – five neighbour assembly). However, after that, on two nights, I heard two neighbouring males (the same individuals in both nights) barking in their …

Roe deer observation (Apr 26, 2024) – a male sniff-tracking another species?

Recently the roe deer have been startling me with unexpected vocalizations and it can be difficult to determine their context because mostly I am hearing them from distance without being able to observe the whole setting (or even the individual producing the sound). I have heard the 'grunting' sound that roe deer can sometimes make …

Roe deer observation (Apr 26, 2024) – five neighbour assembly

I have been around roe deer for several years now but this year I have managed to gather more insight into their springtime behaviour and vocalization range. This morning I was fortunate to hear five neighbouring males barking each on their own range at the same time. I believe it is an important observation because …

Roe deer observations (Apr 16 – Apr 21, 2024) – behavioural changes during cold weather

We have had an atypical beginning of spring. March was characterized by unusually warm temperatures that persisted day by day rather than fluctuating between cold and warm spells. The temperatures were favourable to initiate new vegetation growth and, as a result, many associated species (herbivores) also changed into their spring behavioural pattern. Then April was …

Roe deer observations (Apr 3 & Apr 16, 2024) – a male with a unique vocal pattern

On two occasions, in the same locations, I have encountered (heard) a male who has a very unique voice (see Roe deer observation (Apr 3, 2024) – territorial conflict and Unusual night observations after a windstorm – beavers, roe deer, tawny owls (Apr 16, 2024)). During the first observation, I thought that the male was …

Unusual night observations after a windstorm – beavers, roe deer, tawny owls (Apr 16, 2024)

This night was rather unusual. The species we encountered behaved differently than they behaved over the last week or over the last couple of weeks (but they did not behave in a wholly atypical manner for their species). It appeared to me as if something had disrupted their assumed routine and I will describe my …