Brown Hares are said to have been introduced into the UK in Roman times, they are now considered naturalised. They are found on open farmland, in grassland habitats and at woodland edges. They graze on vegetation and the bark of young trees and bushes. Brown hares do not dig burrows, but shelter in ‘forms’, which are shallow depressions in the ground or grass. When disturbed, they can be seen running across open land reaching the speed of 45mph – they are Britain’s fastest wild mammal. Brown hares are most visible in early spring when the breeding season encourages fighting or ‘boxing’. Females can produce three to four litters of two to four leverets {young} a year.

Today a visit to some open farmland on the edge of the South Downs National Park gave us some good views of this sacred and mystical animal. In folk law, they were believed to have connections to the “otherworld.” They were treated with great respect and never eaten.

Speeding off!

A very short film.