|
Species
Action Plans
|
Brown Hare
(Lepus europaeus)
Habitat
Unimproved Grassland
Semi-improved Grassland
Grazing Marsh
Brown Hare on the Greatham Site
Brown Hare are fairly common on site, and are fairly common on industrial
sites locally. They breed on site and are resident in the unimproved
and semi-improved grassland, and the grazing marsh. This grassland
provides cover for them to ‘lay-up’ during the day, out
of sight. The brown Hare on site graze the semi-improved grassland
fairly heavily, keeping the grass sward height fairly short. Brown
Hare and Rabbit droppings can be seen across the grassland.
Status in UK and Europe
Widespread in Britain but numbers have been declining since early 1960’s.
The population is estimated at 817,500-1,250,000.
Local Status
Under-recorded locally. Well noted on industrial grasslands around
the North Tees, ICI Billingham, British Chrome and British Steel.
Objectives for Brown Hare on the Greatham Site
- Retain Semi-improved Grassland areas for Brown Hare.
- Assess the
current Brown Hare population on the Greatham site.
Management Plan for Brown Hare on the Greatham Site
- Continue monitoring of Brown Hare on site, to assess the number
of Brown Hare, the sites they use and their breeding success.
- Actively manage the semi-improved grassland on
site, to ensure it doesn’t become scrub, and that the sward
height remains low. The grazing by the Brown Hare themselves will
help to do this.
|
