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Brown Hare - Lepus europaeus
Norfolk
The brown hare is known for its long, black-tipped ears and fast running - it can reach speeds of 45mph when evading predators. It prefers a mosaic of farmland and woodland habitats and can often be spotted in fields.
Thought to have been introduced into the UK in Roman Times (or even earlier), the brown hare is now considered naturalised. It is most common in grassland habitats and at woodland edges, favouring a mosaic of arable fields, grasses and hedgerows. It grazes on vegetation and the bark of young trees and bushes. Brown hares do not dig burrows, but shelter in 'forms', which are shallow depressions in the ground or grass; when disturbed, they can be seen bounding across the fields, using their powerful hind legs to propel them forwards, often in a zigzag pattern. Brown hares are at their most visible in early spring when the breeding season encourages fighting or 'boxing'. Females can produce three to four litters of two to four young (known as leverets) a year.
Widespread, but absent from northern Scotland and the Scottish islands, except Islay, I'm reliably informed.
One of seven brown hares seen yesterday morning racing around in the spring sunshine in open fields at the top of the Cotswold escarpment.
"Schildkröten können dir mehr über den Weg erzählen als Hasen." (aus China)
Turtles can tell you more about the way than hares.
A selection from my summer archives when I couldn't get on the internet due to my house move, these are bringing back some happy memories of my summer evening sessions with the hares.
" A 3/4 grown Hare who was in such a rush to be somewhere else he ran straight into the feeder stream that supplies the marsh with fresh water.... he did make it safely across the marsh but he was going have a long day cleaning himself :-/ "
This gorgeous hare obviously enjoys the finer things in life as it lives in a local vineyard.
Thanks to a tip off from my daughter I walked down there last night and was thrilled to spot it between the vines.
I found this one really tricky to compose as I wanted to include the vines too, but I think I'm happy with this (for now!)
Back to the Hares for a few more images. Hopefully I'll get a bit more time to spend with them this summer...
This hare stopped for a preen after an unsuccessful pursuit of a female hare. photographed in the Peak District.
Scientific name: Lepus europaeus.
Brown hares are perhaps one of the few introduced species that people tend to mistake for natives. Precisely when they are brought to Britain is lost in the annals of time, but archaeological evidence points to an introduction at some point during the Iron Age, while genetic data suggest these animals were brought from the Netherlands or Denmark. The Brown hare was once a common site in Britain's agricultural land but appears to be in decline, largely as a result of habitat loss and, perhaps, continued persecution from hare coursers. Today, despite remaining widespread, their stronghold is southern England and, particularly East Anglia and Kent.
Info: Wildlife Online.
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