Masterclass

Here’s how to identify five of the UK’s resident deer species, including the ones you’re most likely to see in the hills.

Your guide to identifying Britain’s deer in the mountains

■ RED DEER (CERVUS ELAPHUS)

This is the deer you’re most likely to see in the Scottish Highlands, often fleeing across the open hill in large herds. This majestic icon of wildness is the largest native land mammal in Britain. You’ll hear its primal groan echoing from the glens during the rut. WHERE Most commonly seen on the open hills of Scotland, but there are also herds in the Peak District, Exmoor and in the Lakes, most notably at Martindale, near Ullswater.

ANTLERS Huge, up to 1m across, with up to eight points.

They shed March-April and are fully grown again by August. REAR Creamy-yellow colour rump, with a short reddish-brown tail. HEIGHT AT SHOULDER 1.1-1.2m

■ REINDEER (RANGIFER TARANDUS)

Native during the post-glacial period, the only reindeer in the UK are now restricted to the Cairngorms where they roam freely on the plateau in a managed herd. They’re hard to confuse with anything else, having a large, grey-brown body and chunky blunt muzzle. They’re also the only deer in the UK to turn white in winter.

ANTLERS Huge and complex, usually curved forward with many tines, often looking blunt-tipped.

REAR Bright white with a tail, greyish-brown down the middle.

HEIGHT AT SHOULDER 1.1-1.2m

■ SIKA DEER (CERVUS NIPPON)

The Sika is the deer most likely to be confused with the Red deer as the two breeds are very closely related and often interbreed. The Sika though is smaller all round and prefers woodland near heathland. Non-native, they were introduced from Japan in the 19th century (hence the Latin name) and have since become naturalized.

ANTLERS Tall and branching like the Reds’ but with only four points. REAR White, heart-shaped patch with a black edge and stripe down the middle. HEIGHT AT SHOULDER 1.1-1.2m

■ FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA)

Much more common in England than Scotland and in deer parks than in the wild, the Fallow was introduced in the 11th century for hunting. With its unique antlers and spotty coat, it’s almost impossible to confuse with any other deer breed.

ANTLERS Broad and palmate (partly filled between the tines), unlike any other deer in the UK.

REAR White oval with a black line at the edges and mostly black tail, looking sometimes like a stripe down the middle.

HEIGHT AT SHOULDER 70-95cm

■ ROE DEER (CAPREOLUS CAPREOLUS)

The second of our two native deer species, the Roe is considerably smaller than the Red with a shorter muzzle. Though it’s the most common deer in the country, it prefers woodland and fields so is less likely to be spotted on a hillwalk, though you might see it at woodland margins, field edges or moorland.

ANTLERS Short (max 30cm), close together and upright with just three points.

REAR Clear, white patch; upward arrow-shaped in males and oval-shaped in females.

HEIGHT AT SHOULDER 60-75cm