MAD March hares – a sign that spring is here!

I had been wanting to photograph brown hares for more than a year and only last March did I finally take great pleasure in not only photographing the hares but capturing them boxing.

Before then, I had spent hundreds of hours visiting different fields and meadows within and outside East Lothian in search of brown hares.

After each defeat, the desire to photograph these creatures was getting stronger and stronger.

I appreciate this could be discouraging for some, but I do not give up easily, even in my private life! I suppose perseverance is the province of every wildlife photographer.

Finally, one sunny afternoon, Chris and I decided to go for a drive around the local fields.

The road was quite narrow, and we had to pull over to let another car go past.

As soon as we stopped, I opened the window and saw them – a good dozen hares chasing across the field.

East Lothian Courier: Hares. Image: Zan Blaszczyk

Usually, you see only one or a couple at most, so this sighting was exceptional.

We parked up in haste and rushed towards the binkying hares. They were moving fast and chaotically, making it difficult to keep them in sight.

One minute they were boxing and a second later they were all leaping high up. I could even see hair and saliva flying in the air – the field looked like it turned into a real boxing ring!

As soon as the group flashed near us, I grabbed for my faithful camera and took several shots.

There can be some confusion about whether or not the ‘boxing’ hares are fighting, and whether this is an act between two males (bucks) or a male and female (a doe).

This frantic behaviour usually occurs when a surge of testosterone pushes a buck to chase after his chosen doe across the fields in an attempt to mate.

A doe can be chased by multiple bucks throughout the spring, which can understandably become a bit tiresome.

This is when a female would turn around and fight a male off by initiating the boxing match. It is not unusual to see fur flying.

East Lothian Courier: Hares. Image: Zan Blaszczyk

It is believed that brown hares have lived in the UK since Roman times but are now considered naturalised.

Their distinctive long, black-tipped ears and fast running make them easily distinguishable from rabbits.

They are also much bigger and do not dig burrows.

Hares live above ground in the open and dig ‘forms’: shallow depressions in the ground or grass.

They can easily sink in the forms and blend in with the environment but, when disturbed, they take off and bound across the fields, often in a zigzag pattern.

East Lothian Courier: A hare. Image: Zan Blaszczyk

Brown hares can reach a speed of 45 miles per hour, which makes them Britain’s fastest land animal.

Unlike many other British mammals, hares do not hibernate or store fat, so they need a constant food supply. They feed on a variety of grasses, herbs, twigs and bark to stay healthy.

March and April are the best months to watch brown hares boxing, so I would like to encourage everyone to visit the local fields.

Keep your eyes peeled for the hares and stay safe!

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