March Hares, spring arrives

Brown Hare sitting out another winter storm Lepus europaeus

What a difference a week makes. The topsoil in the fields no longer squirts

water as you walk. Hedges are greener every day and Brimstone and Small

Tortoiseshell butterflies seek out early spring flowers. But the clearest

indicator to me is the Brown Hares; they have reappeared in only the way

hares can. I have seen groups of more than 16 in some fields. Some chasing,

others watching, and patches of fur are dotted about where pairs have been

boxing each other.

Brown Hare morning light in early spring meadow, Lepus europaeus

Although they can be seen during the day they usually appear as “brown

lumps” or quietly eating. Early morning and evening are still the best times

to watch spring hares, they are much more active, very often in pairs and

sometimes in larger groups. This is the time I see them boxing. Fights last

only a few seconds after a short fast chase, often clouds of fur are thrown

into the air.

Brown Hares in a morning chase Lepus europaeus

However, pursuing a social life does not mean hares are any less shy,

watching and trying to photograph them closely is a challenge. March hares

still prefer open fields where they can see any potential danger in plenty

of time. I try to predict where they will meet. I set up a mobile hide the

day before I plan to photograph, but the meeting points change from day to

day, one day a bare field, the next a crop of winter wheat.

The photographs show; life in the last of the wet weather, a male and female

interacting and boxing and individuals picked out by the special light found

at the beginning and end of the day.

Brown Hares boxing in the sun on the skyline, Lepus europaeus

Brown Hare fur fight in the sun Lepus europaeus

Brown Hares boxing on the skyline, Lepus europaeus

Brown Hare pair fight and flying Lepus europaeus

Brown Hare pair, above and below Lepus europaeus