Conservationists keep hare loss at bay

NATIONAL DECLINE: Numbers of brown hares have declined by 75 per cent in the past 50 years. Picture: David Kjaer WWT

A few simple farming changes can make all the difference

April 2011: Populations of brown hares are holding up in the Braydon Forest area of North Wiltshire, a survey of landowners by the Wiltshire wildlife trust reveals. Sixty seven per cent of those taking part in the survey reported seeing hares on their land.

These charismatic animals have suffered a national decline of 75 per cent over the past 50 years as a result of changes in agricultural practices and land use.

Now, with the advice and support of the trust's Landscapes for Wildlife project, farmers and landowners in this particular corner of Wiltshire at least are aiding their survival by making a few simple changes in how they farm their land.

‘We cannot say that brown hares are making a comeback in the Braydon Forest yet as 25 per cent of our respondents claim numbers are on the up, another 25 per cent suspect they are declining, while the remainder think that numbers have stayed the same,' says Paul Darby, the trust's Landscape for Wildlife project officer.

‘But at least from this we can conclude that numbers are stable in the area, which is an improvement on their recent history.'

Now classed as 'vulnerable' species
The brown hare population peaked at about four million in Victorian times when gamekeepers controlled their main predators, and mixed farming suited their lifestyle. Their numbers tumbled between the 1960s and the 1980s and now stand at between 817,500 and 1.25 million. They are now classified as a ‘vulnerable species'.

Concern about the hare's future led to the introduction of a UK Biodiversity Action Plan, with specific actions aimed at increasing their numbers.

Powerful animals that can accelerate to 45 miles an hour, hares are considerably bigger than rabbits. The spring is the best time to see them. Although usually solitary animals, you may spot their spectacular chases and ‘boxing matches' as the females fight off the males' advances.

The fact that farmers can now get money for encouraging wildlife under the Government's Higher Level Stewardship Scheme will also aid their recovery. The project area covers the Braydon Forest with Minety as a central point. It is at present mainly funded by The Tubney Charitable Trust.