The Brown Hare was once a very common and widespread farmland species. During the late 1800s they numbered about four million in Britain . However over the last century there has been a significant decline in population, with numbers estimated to have dropped by more than 80% over this period, the most substantial decline occurring from the early 1960s onwards.

Like so many of our once-common farmland species, the hare's decline in this period was probably connected with the intensification of agriculture, removal of hedgerows and the increased use of farmland machinery and pesticides.

Crop diversity is important to hares because their nutritional requirements vary according to the season and so they move between crop types. They do not hibernate or store large fat reserves so require access to food sources all year round. Hedgerows are important daytime lying up sites, particularly for leverets, and there has been a widespread decline in hedgerows associated with the intensification of agriculture.

Other factors also contributing to the decline in brown hares include:

• Increased predation levels from foxes as their numbers have risen
• Increased levels of disease
• Climate change
• Shooting, coursing and poaching
• Road casualties

In Durham it is thought that the brown hare is still fairly widespread, however the concerns regarding such a large national decline in population numbers have resulted in the species being recognised as a conservation priority. Within the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan, the brown hare is part of our Farmland Birds and Mammals plan.

For further information or land management advice the Game Conservancy Trust has a brown hare leaflet www.gct.org.uk which outlines some actions that landowners can take.

Survey 2009

During 2002-2004 an initial Brown Hare Survey was carried out across the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan area. Five years on we want to establish how the local brown hare population has changed since this time. This evidence base will be used to target project work to help conserve and boost brown hare numbers in the area.

We are asking you to tell us where and when you see a brown hare across Darlington, County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland during 2009. This will help us to compile a profile of this species and enable us to enhance the region's biodiversity and safeguard the environment for the future.

Please complete the survey form to tell us where you have seen a brown hare.

SURVEY FORM

How to identify a brown hare

Hare or Rabbit? Identifying a brown hare

Hares can be mistaken for rabbits and vice versa, especially when only getting a quick glimpse of the animal. The following descriptions and should help you identify whether what you have seen is a hare.

	Hare	Rabbit
Physical Differences	Hares are generally between 50cm and 70cm in length and weigh about 3-5kg. They are golden brown in colour with large ears which have distinct black tips.	Rabbits are smaller, up to 40cm in length and weigh 1-3kg. They are grey-brown in colour with smaller ears which are grey all over.
Habitat	Hares live above ground, lying on cover or hiding in shallow depressions or scrapes called forms. Their young (leverets) are brown above ground, fully furred with their eyes open.	Rabbits live in warrens dug into well drained soil. Their young (kittens) are born underground, with no fur and blind.
Behaviour	Hares can run up to 65-70km per hour. They tend to live on a solitary basis, only getting together when breeding. When disturbed hares will lower their tail.	Rabbits are much slower and tend to move in bouncing hops. Rabbits will live in groups. When disturbed they will raise their tail to show a white underside.
Population	Numbers in serious decline. No longer widespread throughout the UK	Widespread throughout the UK . Numbers fluctuate but very common

Looking for hares

You can often see hares when you are in a car. Have a look when you go past large open fields. Hares are mostly active at night but so are mainly seen in the early morning or at dusk.

SURVEY FORM