Best places to watch the exciting deer rut in Suffolk this October

October means one of nature's most exciting spectacles is in full force and Suffolk is a great place to witness it. Here's how and where to experience the deer rut

Most of the time, you'd never know that Suffolk has England's largest red deer population, not to mention considerable numbers of fallow and roe deer, muntjac, Chinese water deer, and some sika too. Suffolk’s six deer species are usually difficult to see - phantoms of the forest and field that prefer to stay safely hidden away.

But come the autumn these wonderful beasts make their presence known in a most spectacular fashion, although we humans are not the object of their ostentatious behaviour. We are simply lucky spectators to an electrifying display of power and raw ambition that is the mighty deer rut.

Suffolk has England's largest population of red deer. (Image: EDWARD RUSSELL/IWITNESS)

The bellowing begins at Helmingham Hall estate. (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

Male fallow deer at Helmingham, ready to rut. (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

The rut starts in late September, peaks in October and lingers into November. In Suffolk we have some of the best places to see it, at RSPB Minsmere, where a herd of several hundred of the biggest species, the mighty red deer, roams the heaths, woods and reedbeds around the reserve, at Westleton Heath, and on the Helmingham estate.

For months leading up to October, sexually mature red deer stags prepare for the most important contest of their lives - the battle for dominance over other stags and possession of a harem of fertile females. The fight starts vocally.

As large herds of hinds (females) gather, you can hear the stirring, deep-throated bellow of huge stags battling for supremacy, and smell their musky scent. The males also urinate to mark their domain and ‘taste’ the air to determine if the hinds are ready to mate. In fact, stags often wallow in their own urine as the odour helps bring hinds into oestrus.

Male deer often drag their antlers through the undergrowth to which gets lodged in their antlers making them look larger and more impressive. (Image: Archant)

Bellowing at Minsmere... (Image: (c) copyright citizenside.com)

Red deer locking antlers... (Image: Jon Hawkins)

If bellowing doesn't see off a competitor, the rival stags then parallel walk to size up their opponent. They may also thrash the ground, scooping up vegetation in their antlers to make them look larger. Then battle commences. The stags lock antlers in a shoving match, each stag trying to gain the advantage. Meanwhile, smaller stags, on the edge of the harem, try to mate with the hinds while the dominant stag is in battle or exhausted following a fight.

Rut activity peaks during the three hours after dawn and again before dusk. For the best chance of watching this tremendous spectacle, approach the site downwind, use vegetation as cover, tread softly and avoid sudden movements. Always keep your distance - deer can be unpredictable, and the males are pumped full of testosterone and highly aggressive. It's best not to take your dog.

Deer often wallow in their own urine, appearing darker, as the odour helps bring hinds into oestrus. (Image: Archant)

A Red deer stag gives out a loud bellow to warn other males off. (Image: ASwinbank)

One really good way to see the rut is to go with someone in the know. RSPB Minsmere has deer rut safaris from October 1-23, when you can join a knowledgeable guide for a drive onto the rutting fields in a 4x4 vehicle and get closer to the action. Don't forget to bring your camera. Numbers are limited - the ticket price is for up to three people per vehicle - and it's popular, so book early. rspb.org.uk