Hares

snake · #1 (**permalink**) 13-06-2009, 07:46 PM

This is a good time of the year to see Brown Hares on any arable land.
An hour or so before dark they start to move and with the crops so thick and high they follow the farm tracks.
I like to spend a bit of time sitting at the side of a track watching them trot past.
Took a picture of this guy tonight, he looks as though he has had a touch of mange on his side.

Cazzie · #2 (**permalink**) 13-06-2009, 08:07 PM

Great pics there Snake

I've seen a few... but mainly whilst driving so can't stop fast enough to get a pic lol!

pammosley · #3 (**permalink**) 13-06-2009, 08:13 PM

Great photos as usual Snake, I`ve yet to see one.

ron1863 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-06-2009, 08:42 PM

I've noticed a lot up on my local moorland but usually when I've almost stood on them, then there off. Cracking shots too Snake.

scott tilley · #5 (**permalink**) 14-06-2009, 06:47 AM

Lovely shots. Some people get hung up on the mad match hares theory and that this is the best time to see them. In reality we get this type of behaviour throughout the summer. Agree June is a good month, perhaps the only difference/difficulty is that a lot of the fields where the Hares where clearly visible a few months ago are now high with crops, and although it does force them onto tracks I find that it can lead to me stumbling upon them and they race away before I can get under cover!!

I hope to get some more pics soon,

Hedge Witch · #6 (**permalink**) 14-06-2009, 07:19 AM

Lovely shots snake. Mange or no mange, he's a beauty

I've seen a fair few this year, but they are always much too fast. Well done!

mbaldw · #7 (**permalink**) 14-06-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Took a picture of this guy tonight, he looks as though he has had a touch of mange on his side.

Cracking shots Snake - very nicely captured. On the subject of mange, while Sarcoptes have been found in rabbits and hares, I think I'm right in saying that the parasite is rather rare in wild populations. I think the hare in your photo might actually be in the process of moulting. In her review of Brown hare biology in Mammals of the British Isles Bristol University biologist Nancy Jennings writes of the hare's moult:

"Spring (March - June) and autumn (July - October) moults are preceded by fading of pelage. Moulting begins at nape, mid-back and head, spreads downwards and backwards."

Cheers,
Marc.