Brown Hares
In the fields surrounding Selsey, you may be lucky enough to spot a Brown Hare although as they are capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour, it may appear to be more of a brown flash!
Much larger than a rabbit and with longer legs, the Brown Hare is a golden-brown colour with a pale belly and a white tale. The Brown Hare also has long ears with a distinctive black tip.
When’s the best time to spot Brown Hares?
The best time to spot Brown Hares is early in the morning. Hares do not dig burrows like rabbits but shelter in ‘forms’, shallow depressions in the ground or low grass. In these forms, the Brown Hare will lie as still as possible, tucked right into the ground with their ears pressed flat along their bodies. Their top speeds are reached if they are disturbed from these hollows and they will bound away across the field, often in a zigzag pattern.
Where’s best in Selsey to spot Brown Hares?
The best places to spot Brown Hares are open grassy or arable fields or near to hedgerows or woodland where they can find shelter. In Selsey head to Church Norton or one of the RSPB Nature reserves of Pagham Harbour or Medmerry. Make sure it’s early morning and stay down wind to avoid alerting the Hares to your presence via your scent!
Did you know?
During the breeding season in early spring, you may be able to see Hares leaping about, chasing each other and ‘boxing’, standing on their hind legs face to face. This is normally a female, warding off the advances of an amorous male. This peculiar behaviour gives rise to the expression ‘Mad as a March Hare’. Once a female has chosen her mating partner, she can have between 2 and 4 litters a year and will give birth in her form, often lined with her own fur plucked from her body. These young are born with a full coat of fur and open eyes and will leave their mother very soon after birth.
Amazing photographs are just awaiting to be captured of hares ‘boxing’ or just poking their heads up in amongst the grasses.