I suspect a group of grubs have hatched and that swhy you are seeing them. Sadly I have never seen them in my garden. I'd love to have them.

That’s great to have that many, do you have old rotting logs in your garden as that is where the eggs are laid, I think they spend 2/3years before they pupate into adult beetles, then on a hot summers evening they mate and then that’s it, I always encourage people to leave logs in the corners of their gardens which are needed for so much wildlife.

We have been seeing them over the years and have a log pile, untouched for about 15 years. Not seen one so far this year. I see we are in the same part of the world.

They seem to come out of the compost heap. I have a double heap built of old pallets and fill up one side at a time, which takes a couple of years or so. I found a couple of stags in May while digging out some compost. Thankfully I didn't injure them.It is also a rather wild, neglected hidden corner with fir tree debris, brambles, nettles and ivy etc. well as the ubiquitous and much hated bindweed. I will have to tidy up a bit round there but will now make sure there is a log pile to rot down beside the compost heap.

My daughter has been "buzzed" by them in Marlow. She is terrified of them. I have to admit I'd run a mile too if one flew at me.

I looked back on my GoY photos to find in June 2016 I saw a Stag Beetle. Took the photo when it was on the ground, just as I had the shot it became airborne so I moved very quickly to the kitchen and closed the door!

I know! They make my spine tingle and I have to keep telling myself they're harmless. I used 2 small flowerpots to gather a couple up and return them to the compost area because the cat was creeping up on them.