Month: October 2021

The arrival of autumn has bought with it some exciting changes around the Aigas site.  Temperatures are dropping, leaves are beginning to change colour and red deer stags can be heard roaring across site as the rutting season gets into full swing! The ‘rut’ describes the breeding season for our three largest deer species, red, fallow and sika. This season can start as early as the end of September and last throughout the winter months, tending to be the only time of year where the females and males integrate. Leading up to the rut, mature red deer stags will prepare to contest against rival stags for access to a harem of fertile females. Consequently, red deer stags are at their peak condition once autumn arrives, with lots
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We have seen thousands of Pink-footed geese flying over Aigas recenly. These birds have migrated from their breeding grounds in Iceland, Greenland and Spitsbergen (Norway) to winter in the UK’s wetlands and farmlands. Around 510,000 individuals are expected annually in the UK, with a large percentage in East Anglia. Around 90% of the world’s Pink-footed geese spend the winter in the UK, seeking to escape the extreme temperatures in the Arctic. Our northerly location means vast numbers are seen (and often heard) flying over Aigas at this time of year as they pass over on their way further south.   Geese will often be seen migrating in a v-shape formation, with flocks being known as ‘skeins’. This formations helps geese travel as the front goose breaks up the air that they are flying into. This creates a slip stream effect meaning the geese behind don’t need to expend as much
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