Deer by the Long Water, Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Park and adjoining Bushy Park are Royal Deer Parks. Red and Fallow Deer still roam freely throughout them, just as they did when Henry VIII hunted here.

There are about 320 deer and their grazing maintains the grasslands. Grazing creates more variation in structure and plant diversity and does not damage the anthills, which add further diversity and character to the grassland.

Red Deer are the largest mammal native to the British Isles and in the summer their coats are glossy red. Fallow deer, introduced by the Romans, are smaller and their summer coats, usually spotted, vary from a cream to darkish brown colour.

At the moment in autumn the deer are 'rutting' in thebreeding season. The Red stags and Fallow bucks compete for the females (known as hinds and does respectively). At this time, the large males roar, bark and clash antlers to fight off rivals and attract as many females as possible.