Many people will have seen hares unexpectedly rocketing away from beneath their feet as they walk through the countryside. This is because hares tend to frequent very open land, using tussocky grass or crops as cover by which to develop a small depression or ‘form’. Because their survival tactic against predators is ‘not to be seen’, if a threat comes very close they must then rely on their speed to escape, which can be up to 45mph!!

Generally, hares are very quiet, solitary animals, mostly foraging at night and saving their energy for emergencies. It is well-known, however, that their behaviour in Spring is quite different and in March each year, hares seem to quite literally lose their marbles. This, of course, marks the start of the breeding season, when adults who have survived the winter are determined to secure a mate and breed over the finer months. ‘Boxing’ occurs between the dominant male, or ‘alpha buck’, and non-receptive does (female). Yes, she is partly trying to fight him off because she's not in the mood, but this also gives her an opportunity to test the strength of her potential mate, and see if he measures up! Unsurprisingly, there is also a fair amount of fighting between males, although this tends to take the form of rapid, energy-draining chases. The female will eventually give off a scent to indicate when she is in oestrus, giving the successful suitor a chance to catch his breath.

Lepus Europaeus, the brown European hare is a fairly robust species, and saw to the retreat of Lepus timidus, the more shy native variety back in Roman times. It is true to say, however, that there are fewer and fewer brown hares nowadays due to land-use change over the past few decades. Removal of hedges, a reduced coverage of tussocky, unimproved grassland and a loss of over-wintering sites have threatened many once-common species, hares included. Hunting of hares may also have a greater impact now that overall numbers have dwindled. The brown hare is a ‘species of interest’ under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and the aim is to double spring numbers in Britain by 2010 – so plenty of boxing matches imminent!

In the world of ecology these fluctuations can be pretty much ‘par for the course’. It is interesting to note, for example, that the success of the brown hare was originally due to man-made enclosed field structures and control of predators. It might not be much consolation to the hares, but the level of decline largely reflects the previous success of the species. However, the effects of an increasingly homogenised landscape have been widely recognised as detrimental to wildlife populations, and initiatives such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) could help to redress the balance for all sorts of plants, birds and animals. This scheme helps farmers and landowners to replace and link hedgerows and woodlands and encourages less intensive management of important open field areas. (For more information about CSS contact Defra, details in useful contacts list)

Chances are, then, you will still see this striking animal haring about and have the chance to discover more of its secrets. If you are especially lucky you might even see one dive into a river or stream – yes, hares can swim too!