Hares: Ecology and Survey

Recognising Brown Hares

Hare Habitat and Survival

Breeding Cycle

Breeding and Forms

Prints Brown Hares: Field Signs

Brown Hare Field Signs Droppings Rabbit Droppings Roe Deer Hare Droppings Muntjac Droppings Fellow Deer

Brown Hare Protection Population Decline of 4 million to 800,000 over the last century 1892 Hare Preservation Act (no sales 1 st March to 31 st July Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulation 2010 (Mountain Hare in England only) BAP species since 1994, relisted under NERC Act 2006

Hare coursing

Let s help tackle hare coursing (1) Recognise Using a dog to chase a hare was made illegal in Scotland in 2002 by the passing of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act, and was made illegal in England and Wales by the Hunting Act 2004. In 2011 it was banned in Northern Ireland under the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland). Hare coursing is still legal in Ireland. Coursing is more likely to take place at dawn or dusk but it can take place in broad daylight. Hare coursers often travel in convoy with transit vans at the front and rear (containing minders) and the cars in between containing the employers. The first sign of coursing is often a group of vehicles parked in a rural area perhaps by a gateway to farmland, on a grass verge, on a farm track or bridle path. There will usually be estate cars, four wheel drives or vans. They may contain evidence of dogs inside such as muddy paw prints and dog hair. Participants do not have permission to be on the land and have no respect for niceties such as closing gates, keeping to paths, or staying out of growing crops. Participants will often be spread in a line across a field and looking to flush a hare. When a hare runs they will then release their dogs to give chase. Once killed, the hare s body is discarded. Participants often carry on until all the hares in a field have been killed and then move on to the next field.

Let s help tackle hare coursing (2) Record We all want to help stop hare coursing but please note that many of the gangs involved in coursing have links to other forms of crime and illegal dog breeding. They can be violent and there have been many reports of violent confrontations and damage to cameras/cars etc. Never attempt to tackle hare coursers yourself. If it is safe to do so note any relevant car registration plates. If it is safe to do so and only from a safe distance take photographs and video of the coursers as evidence. All information you can provide can be useful including what clothes the participants are wearing and the number, breed and colours of the dogs being used. Report If you see an event taking place do NOT approach the participants!if a crime is in progress call 999, if the event is finished but you would like to pass on details then call 101 and ask to speak to a wildlife crime officer. Do ask for a crime reference number as well. If you prefer to give information anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 On the Salisbury Plain Military Training Area, also call 999 if hare coursing is seen in progress. Remember that your information may match earlier information given by someone else, which may help build up a better picture of the people involved.

UK BAP Actions Encourage habitat management in pastoral and arable areas through agri-environment schemes (field margins, beetle banks, over-winter stubble, ungrazedmargins, hay meadows, late grass-cuts) Enhanced surveillance of populations to identify regional trends CAP reform to ensure adequate conservation measures for Brown Hare Indications are that these measures are working

Brown Hare Surveys Pellet Spotlight Counts Transect Surveys Car Transects (Irish Survey 2007) English National Survey (1996) See handout!

National Hare Survey Methodology Survey outline Transect around a 1km square Walk route slowly and record all hares inc those in/flushed from forms Survey during November to February inclusive Survey between 10am and 2pm (1-2 hours per transect) Fine weather! Survey forms, map, binoculars, compass/gps

National Hare Survey Methodology Route is partly determined by topography, field size, fence-lines, access points such as gates, bridges over watercourses etc, roads etc.

National Hare Survey Methodology

Recording form Hare Number Location Behaviour Habitat

National Hare Survey Methodology

Return your records Please undertake 2-3 (or more!) visits, during December to February (inclusive) Use a separate recording form and map for each visit Once all surveys are complete, ensure all recording forms are completed, and return them to us (post or scan/email)

National Hare Survey Methodology Field Visits