Identification - the brown hare is one of two species in the British Isles, the other being the native mountain hare. It was probably introduced by the Romans. It is much larger than the rabbit but be aware of mistaking large rabbits for hares. The main distinguishing feature of the brown hare is the very long ears with prominent black tops, orange eyes and very long legs.
General ecology - the brown hare is abundant on arable land, especially cereal farming areas, or land with minimal livestock and they can be found resting up in woodland and hedgerows. They prefer large flat fields to help with detection of predators. It is widespread in the British Isles. They lie up in forms (usually a scrape or hollow in a field) during the day and are mainly solitary, that is, they live on their own. They breed from mid-February to mid-September and courtship consists of boxing matches between the doe (female) and the buck (male). The buck is polygamous, meaning it mates with as many does as it can. The doe can give birth up to four litters per season of around four leverets (young hares) that are fully furred, sighted and mobile. They are born in the open countryside and left most of the day, the mother visiting after sunset to suckle the young. The leverets are independent at a month old.
They rely on speeds of up to 45mph, camouflage and acute senses such as hearing to avoid predators. Their average home range is 37 hectares.
(Clark SAJ 1998) Their main threats are habitat (the place where they live) loss and illegal hare coursing (chasing hares with dogs for sport).
Surveying tips - the best times to survey for brown hare are from October to mid January in daylight where they can be easily spotted in their forms, a scrape in a field where they lie hidden during the day - annual count. They can also be counted in spring and summer at dawn and dusk in good weather.
Photo - Essex Wildlife Trust