Searching for Dorset’s elusive wildlife gave way to an incredible encounter with a family of dippers. These small birds are also known as water ouzels. They are a short tailed plump bird with reddish brown, grey to almost pure black colour with a stunning vibrant white chin, throat & chest.
Roe Deer
With the meadow now freshly mowed & bailed I could finally catch sight of this beautiful Bambino while it was grazing on the sweet grasses along the woodland edge.
Known as “kids” or “fawns” the young Roe deer are born with spotted coat’s to provide them with camouflage that hides them from predators but this Bambino is at least 3 to 4 months old now and the spots are fading away.
In the early stages of the fawns life the doe will leave them hidden in the long grasses and will only come back to visit them for a few short times in the day allowing them to suckle. As they start growing and becoming stronger the fawns accompany their mothers on life adventures where she will show them the magic powers of dandelions & teach them the ways of the wild.
Roe deer are usually a woodland species but they can be seen living in a variety of habitats such as farmland, meadows, heathland & coastal areas.
Back to the meadow: Meet “Buck”
Returning back to the meadow for a sneaky peak when I noticed this young “Buck” patrolling his patch while munching down on tasty wild flowers.
I new at this point all he had on his mind was the sweet fresh taste of dandelions for breakfast and relaxing in the morning sunshine. This gave me the perfect opportunity to observe the champion and capture this image.
The Roe deer is a native species here in the UK and the males are called “bucks” and the female is a doe.
The average lifespan of a Roe deer is 7 years and they weigh between 10-25kg when fully grown.
The conservation status is “common” and they are protected in the UK under the Deer Act 1991.
• Oh and a fun fact the Duke of Burgundy is named after some pointless aristocrat.
Hare Today:
While out walking along an old farm track one afternoon this grumpy looking hare comes around the corner and starts approaching me. In my amazement I quickly grab my camera out from my bag while hiding in the hedge. Then it casually runs passed me as if nothing in the world mattered.
Brown hares were introduced during Iron Age and are widespread throughout England and Wales. Brown hares live in a variety of habitats .They rely on acute senses and being able to run upto speeds of 45 mph to escape predators. Hares do not use burrows but instead they make a small depression on the ground known as a form.
Length: Adults Hare is about 70cm in length.
Weight: Average 3 – 4kg
Food: Feeding on grass shoots and other plants, cereals & crops.
Lifespan: Hares normally live to 3 – 4 years.
Dorset Panda
The European Badger or also known as the Dorset Panda is one of the most widespread animals in Britain. I was able to follow this juvenile badger while it was out foraging one drizzly morning. Just to add to my amazement the badger discovers a deceased pigeon and decides to enjoy a little play time with an afternoon snack.
Badgers are part of the Mustelidae family the same family as otters, ferret, polecats and weasels.
Length: Adults are usually between 70 and 100 cm (2/3 ft) long.
Weight: Weight varies according to the seasons. Adults are usually between 6 – 7 kg in summer and 12 – 14 kg in the winter.
Food: Badgers are omnivores. They feed on a wide variety of plants and animals.
Lifespan: The oldest known wild badger lived to be 14 years old, however only a few will ever exceed 7-8 years of age in the wild.
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