Fallow deer rut

one day trip to observe fallow deer rut near the city of Skalica

Date of trip: Sunday, October 16, 2016

Departure from Bratislava: 6:00 AM (because of early morning animal activity), arrival back to Bratislava (approx. 3:00 PM)

PARTICIPANTS MUST APPLY FOR THIS TRIP IN ADVANCE

Vincinity of Skalice offers many attractive treats, not only cultural remains and long lasting wine making tradition, but many people are attracted thanks to the natural beauties of this region. On the boundaries between Záhorská nížina lowland and Biele Karpaty (White Carpathian Mountains) nature creates ideal conditions for the populations of fallow deer. Fallow deer numbers are very abundant here and thus quite easy to observe and even photograph.

October is a month of fallow deer rut, during which people interested may enjoy unforgettable time full of vocal displays of male fallow deers and their fights for a right to mate. Besides fallow deers, forests around Skalica offer shelter to roe deers, wild hogs and deers. Among predators that lurk in the shadows, most common are fox, badger, stoats and martens.

Up till this days, the city of Skalica still retains its well preserved historical city centre, which is nowadays Urban protected area. City centre is created by unique triangular market square lined with many historical sacral as well as profane buildings, many of which continue to side lanes and small streets. Broader part of City centre is surrounded by remains of medieval fortification, mostly preserved near Franciscan sacral complex. Past centuries emanate from st. George’s Rotunda and of so called extramural settlement with its narrow cobble stoned streets.

Target species:

mammals: fallow deer (Dama dama), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), European hare (Lepus europaeus), wild boar (Sus scrofa)

birds: woodpecker species (Dendrocopos sp.), grey-headed woodpecker and green woodpecker (Picus canus, Picus viridis), black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), grossbeak (Coccothrastues coccothraustes), mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus), many species of tits (Parus sp.), nuthatch (Sitta europaea)

Program: We will meet in early morning hours and transfer to the locality. Slow walk towards the fallow deer rut places. Fallow deer rut watching and photographing (morning hours). Short transfer to Skalica city centre, short individual lunch break and city tour (st. George’s Rotunda, Cultural house of D. Jurkovic, Jesuit church and monastery, Parish church of sr. Archangel Michael, Calvary, city walls and many more). Return at about 2:00 PM. Arrival to Bratislava at about 3:00 PM.

Tour operator may change program according to actual animal occurence , or actual conditions in the individual fallow deer rut spots.

Important notices and conditions of fallow deer rut watching: we do not recommend participants to be younger than 12 years of age, as well as do not recommend to be accompanied by dogs. Terrain is only slightly difficult with length of aprox. 12 kms. After the initial instructions, it is absolutely necessary to keep as quiet as possible, walk as quiet as possible and very carefully. We recommend to wear camouflaged, brown or green clothes. Red, yellow and any other bright coloured clothes are NOT recommended to wear at all. Sturdy walking shoes and protectors against the wet of early morning vegetation are also important. Earlier departure from Bratislava is also planned for a bigger chance of watching fallow deers. In case of bad weather, we recommend to wear waterproof sound dampening clothes.

Recommended gear: warm clothes, food and water for the whole duration of trip, own binocular of camera is also an option

Difficulty: mildly challenging (approx. 12 km, superelevation approx 150 m)

Minimum number of participants is 3 persons.

Maximum number of participants is 8 persons.

Price includes: transfer by microbus, experienced guide service, binoculars, monocular

Price DOES NOT include: food, individual travel insurance

Application form: Fallow deer rut 2016 (doc), Fallow deer rut 2016 (pdf)

The deadline for registration and payment is September 19, 2016. Application forms must be send to info@watching.sk, in case of any questions, please, contact us via phone on 00421 948 495 111.

General terms and conditions