Watching Hares in Wales?

[NicolaB]

Hi all,

After a brilliant trip to Dorset last year, where I was lucky enough to watch and photograph Hares boxing, I'm keen to try and see more of these lovely animals. Unfortunately I live in sheep-tastic Carmarthenshire, where the arable fields that they prefer are a bit thin on the ground and can't afford to drive to Dorset

I was wondering if anyone had ever seen Hares in South Wales/Gloucestershire/Somerset and could recommend some good spots?

Thankyou!

[Johnny Redgate]

Can't help much except to say that I regularly see hares in my sheep pastures here. I'd say they are a grassland species, not an arable specialist. I would imagine reasonably diverse farmed landscapes in Carmarthenshire should OK.

Just had a look at the Carmarthenshire LBAP. Most of the recent records are apparently from the hilly, less intensively farmed north and east of the county and the Pembrey peninsula. See Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Hare SAP.pdf

John

[NicolaB]

Thanks very much, that's really useful! I'm not far from Pembrey at all, so that looks to be the best bet

[Dogghound]

I agree they are a species which can be seen in both although they do tend to favour arable land. If you are looking for them on pastoral land they tend to be in better numbers away from high levels of livestock. We get quite good numbers on heather moorland here as well.

[Foz]

There are hares on Cefn Bryn on Gower, difficult to spot but they are there.
Take the Cilibion to Reynoldston road and park on the top of Cefn Bryn in the carpark.
Walk to any of the slopes down the mountain, sit and wait.
Loads of other wildlife there as well, including hen harriers.

[NicolaB]

Thanks both....Cefn Bryn sounds like a good place to go as well, if only for the proximity of The King Arthur pub in Reynoldston for afterwards

[salukiwhippet]

Lots of them in parts of Gloucestershire, including the farm I stalk. I'd rather not put details on an open forum, we get enough trouble with undesirables as it is

PM me if you'd like more info .

James

[fluff11]

loads of hares here in wiltshire,one patch near marlborough is alive with them in the early spring,mind you to get to this patch you would need a 4x4!,even had them in our paddock but our outside cat who is a excellent hunter soon chases them off.