Curbar Primary class 2 'blown away' by deer rut visit

Continuing their connection with Eastern Moors, children from Class 2 (Y3&4) at Curbar Primary School were invited up onto White Edge to observe the annual deer rut with Louise and Amanda from the Eastern Moors Partnership team.

With bad weather forecast, but holding off, the children set off from Curbar Gap car park, passing the new path restoration and stone steps laid by the Eastern Moors team up to White Edge, where the first deer were spotted some way away – a small group of hinds. As the children looked for bracken, bilberries and animal tracks for their ‘bingo’ cards and observed the deer through binoculars, a stag strode into view, making the very blustery conditions worth braving.

Looking for clues on White Edge

They're over deer!

After a walk across to the trig point high on White Edge, some suspicious looking spiky bushes soon began to move around – two more stags resting in the heather. The group could be seen clearly, particularly through the binoculars and the stags were observed throwing back their heads to bellow. The children had great fun trying to 'bolve' along with the stags, but only managed to summon the weather! Rain was blown hard into hats, hoods and faces but Curbar children are a hardy bunch and all made it down and back to the car park without too much complaint for an afternoon of moors and deer-themed crafts in the school.

Stags spotted hiding in the heather

Children have a go at 'bolving' with Eastern Moors Partnership Ranger, Louise

The school extend their thanks to Eastern Moors and are looking forward to their next trip out onto Burbage for a winter walk in December.

by Angie Cottle