Hares

[Stevio125]

I've been looking for hares for nearly 2 years to photograph, with absolutly no sucsess!
So the basic question is where are they?!
Does anybody have any tips for tracking them down or a particular habitat, time of day, hilly, flat any tips much appreciated,
I live in leicester and realise this can be a touchy subject for most, so I dont expect any exact locations, but with spring just around the corner It would be nice to get some boxing.

Cheers steve

[Farplace]

Lots of hares in Weardale. I have already seen them boxing (early, but good).
Jan

[Cowgirl]

I used to work on the Yorkshire Wolds, they were everywhere. I imagine the Lincolnshire Wolds are the same.

You want some nice big wide open arable (cereal) fields or grassland as long as the fields are big. I presume they like large areas to run around in & where they have clear all round vision to see predators, as I can't imagine much being able to outrun a hare ('cepting a greyhound maybe, but that's illegal!).

[Dogghound]

They are not particularly hard to find, your best just walking through areas of agricultural land (especially arable). At this time of year they are often right in the middle of fields. Early morning is often good to see them boxing although they will be out and about all day. Your best getting out and covering some miles. Additionally take some binoculars or a scope and scour the whole field its amazing how they can blend in even in the middle of a flat bare field. I would have thought your in quite a good area for hares but dont really know it well enough to suggest exact locations.

[JoulesH]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

You want some nice big wide open arable (cereal) fields or grassland as long as the fields are big.

Quite agree. There are plenty of hares in parts of Leics and bordering counties. You can see lots in fields alongside the A607 between Melton Mowbray and Grantham. Go down some of the side lanes and park up near an open cereal field and you should not be disappointed. When I drove down that road today there were also lots of lapwing and I suspect golden plover - (I was driving so couldn't see) they are usually together at this time of year and that part (just the Grantham side of Waltham on the Wolds). Happy snapping! Tip - they do often sit tight if they spot you so if you are able to detect them at that point you are well set up for pictures. I suspect out eastwards on the A47 or any of the roads around Uppingham would be good places to look as well.

[Stevio125]

Thanks for you replies I will certainly look around the melton area as I know it well.
I had been looking between leic and hinckley with no avail as I live that side of town, but obvoiusly need to spend more time and cash (on petrol) to find them.
interesting to hear some hares are boxing already.

[camo]

stevio

I can tell you my method of getting close to Hare and i am sure you will get soem photographs if you are cerful.

I find a alarge field where they are feeding, i have a coupe of favourite fields but i basically look for one which is bounded by a hedge on the down wind side.

With camoflage over evrything including face and hands i will approach the field from Down wind. In some cases this entails a walk of two miles rather than the 200 yards from an upwind road. I will not attempt to look at the Hare until i am in position. My prime position will be under the hedge and i might take an hour to get into position. the last approach must be done low so i dont break the outline of the hedge. This may entail a crawl but it is sometimes possible to line myself up with tree and use its shape to mask my approach. When i am in position i will make myself comfortable and wait. Even if they are not visible i will expect them to reappear in the original positions. I find the last two hours of sunlight best and often have Hare within 10 feet but most often just as it is getting Dark. I soemtimes have a problem that they are too close and have on one occasion had one touch nose me.

Unlike Fox whilst scent is importnat to mask you are approaching downwind to avoid any noise. They are very jumpy but if you dont get too clicky with your camera they will settle down.

Another way is to wait for the snow, they are very easy to spot in the snow as they think they are still camoflaged. when you spot one hold your camera in front of you and walk straight towards it. Whilst it is not foolproof they sometimes will hold there position right upto the point you close in on them. the resultant picture of flight in the snow can be very good.

Best time of year is March through spring, at this point they are very lively and there is lots of action. A word of caution if you find a leveret in a field scrape take a picture but dont touch it, leave it well alone it is ok!

Roy