To encounter roe deer in North Yorkshire you just have to stroll to the nearest wood. For fallow deer, you must take to the hills. On a sunny day last week, I was making my way to Byland Abbey (the ruins of a local Cistercian foundation), when I saw the fallow herd.

Half a dozen does grazed on the hillside just below the woods. Even 100 yards away, I could see the spangle of white spots on their sandy backs, and the black stripes of their tails vivid against their white furred hind quarters. The rut was still on and they were in their breeding colours.