Managing farmland to conserve the brown hare

Here are some practical steps that can be taken to manage farmland in a way that will encourage the hare population to increase.

Arable areas

Hares are most common in arable areas. However, mature summer crops provide little grazing resulting in hares losing condition and the chance of leveret survival is reduced. A hare’s habitat range can be up to 38 hectares and they will shift their activity between areas as different food becomes available. With this in mind to improve the hares’ habitat on your land you can

1. Maintain a patchwork of crops, farming groups of fields in a block can limit hares source of food at certain times of year.
2. Split large fields with a grass strip, beetle bank or set aside
3. Keep a wide grass strip under hedges, fences and alongside tracks; even a meter or two could be a lifeline for hares in summer
4. Incorporate grassy areas into Stewardship/Tir Gofal schemes to make them ‘hare friendly’

Pastoral Areas

Hare numbers have declined in pastoral areas. Hares prefer not to use fields containing stock and increased stocking density has reduced suitable habitat. Mowing and silage production has a detrimental effect on hares – one study showed that up to 22% of the hare population were killed during mowing. Mowing and intense grazing can leave can leave leverets exposed to predators such as owls, foxes or buzzards. Increased use of fertilizer could also have an effect on the fertility of hares.

1. Fence off stock from some areas to allow thick grass to develop
2. Forage crops of all kinds are liked by hares
3. Game crops provide useful cover in autumn and winter
4. Grass cutting can kill hares, especially leverets. Cut from the center of the field outwards to increase the chances of hares escaping.