Vu, Alan. " Lepus europaeus: European hare". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology . Retrieved 9 January 2013. He sows the small field by hand. He also sows wide margins of wildflowers, to replicate the way fields had existed in the days before mechanical reaping and sowing, and lays out tables of seed to entice the birds. He uses no chemicals on his fields, and when he reaps he bundles the wheat into old-fashioned sheaves. Ben Slimen, H.; Suchentrunk, F.; Ben Ammar Elgaaied, A. (2008). "On shortcomings of using mtDNA sequence divergence for the systematics of hares (genus Lepus): An example from Cape hares". Mammalian Biology. 73 (1): 25–32. doi: 10.1016/j.mambio.2007.02.003. Seven cornfield flowers have become extinct in the last twenty years. Once abundant, the corn bunting and the lapwing are on the Red List. The corncrake is all but extinct in England. And the hare is running for its life.

Billson, Charles J. (1892). " The Easter Hare" as published in Folk-Lore, Vol. 3, No. 4 (December 1892). Taylor & Francis, on behalf of Folklore Enterprises. p. 448. a b Bray, Y.; Devillard, S.; Marboutin, E.; Mauvy, B.; Péroux, R. (2007). "Natal dispersal of European hare in France" (PDF). Journal of Zoology. 273 (4): 426–434. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2007.00348.x. The blood of a freshly killed hare can be collected for consumption in a stew or casserole in a cooking process known as jugging. First the entrails are removed from the hare carcass before it is hung in a larder by its hind legs, which causes blood to accumulate in the chest cavity. One method of preserving the blood after draining it from the hare (since the hare is usually hung for a week or more) is to mix it with red wine vinegar to prevent coagulation, and then to store it in a freezer. [18] [19]Such superstition surrounding hare mythology appears not to have been confined to India. A book on British folklore published in 1875 recognised the status of the hare as an associate of disaster, and recommended repeating, “Hare before, Trouble behind: Change ye, Cross, and free me.” Hare hunting exists in the shadow of fox hunting but is no less despicable or cruel. Consider supporting sab groups that focus on disrupting hare hunts include Severn Vale Hunt Saboteurs and Berkshire Hunt Saboteurs. Holley, A.J.F.; Greenwood, P.J. (1984). "The myth of the mad March hare". Nature. 309 (5968): 549–550. Bibcode: 1984Natur.309..549H. doi: 10.1038/309549a0. PMID 6539424. S2CID 4275486. Bonino, N. A.; Cossios, D.; Menegheti, J. (2010). "Dispersal of the European hare, Lepus europaeus in South America" (PDF). Folia Zoologica. 59 (1): 9–15. doi: 10.25225/fozo.v59.i1.a3.2010. S2CID 4675498. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-17 . Retrieved 2016-09-16. Hares are much larger than rabbits, weighing up to 4kg while a large rabbit is half that weight. Discover how to tell the difference between a hare and a rabbit in our expert Q&A. Hares in folklore

In October 2018, it was reported that a mutated form of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus ( RHDV2) may have jumped to hares in the UK. Normally rare in hares, a significant die-off from the virus has also occurred in Spain. [46] [47] Relationship with humans [ edit ] Albrecht Dürer's watercolour Young Hare, 1502 In folklore, literature, and art [ edit ] Along the way we learn a little about seemingly everything rural - agricultural history, scientific studies of bird and wildlife decline, botany, modern agriculture, Lepidoptera, Shakespeare, agrarian poetry, and the history of English hedges, just to name a few. The European hare primarily lives in open fields with scattered brush for shelter. It is very adaptable and thrives in mixed farmland. [6] According to a study in the Czech Republic, the mean hare densities were highest at elevations below 200m (660ft), 40 to 60 days of annual snow cover, 450 to 700mm (18 to 28in) of annual precipitation, and a mean annual air temperature of around 10°C (50°F). With regards to climate, the European hare density was highest in "warm and dry districts with mild winters". [24] In Poland, the European hare is most abundant in areas with few forest edges, perhaps because foxes can use these for cover. It requires cover, such as hedges, ditches and permanent cover areas, because these habitats supply the varied diet it requires, and are found at lower densities in large open fields. Intensive cultivation of the land results in greater mortality of young hares. [25]Celtic Mythology: The Celts saw Hares as connectors to the Otherworld and it was forbidden to eat them. There are many stories in Celtic mythology about shapeshifting hare that turn into people. An Introduction to Beagling". Association of Masters of Harriers and Beagles. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016 . Retrieved 31 August 2016. The hare has given rise to local place names, as they can often be observed in favoured localities. An example in Scotland is 'Murchland', 'murchen' being a Scots word for a hare. [35] See also [ edit ] Running Hare (UK1272) - sleeps 4 Running Hare in Windermere sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms. Running Hare in Windermere is a beautifully refurbished and tastefully decorated traditional Lakeland stone terraced cottage with character. It is ideally situated a few minutes’ walk from the centre of Windermere, opening onto parkland, with enticing views of the surrounding fells. The house offers a unique place to relax in comfort all year round and has lovely features, including attractive artworks and decor.

Mad March hares have been a staple of the English language for at least 500 years, and no doubt caught the eye of rural communities long before that. The term refers to how hares become even more energised in spring and will, chase each other, rearing up and sparring with their front paws. Fur often flies! The mating seasons of February and March are key months to see hares boxing/Credit: Andyworks, Getty Images Fearnley-Whittingstall, H. "Recipes using hare". British Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved 31 August 2016. The hare has impressively huge ears. In relation to body size, they are perhaps the largest among all living mammals. It is believed that they have long ears for two different reasons. First, the ears allow them to hear sound from almost any direction. Second, the ears serve to dissipate body heat and keep the hare cool, especially during the warmer months of the year. This is essential for the animal’s survival since these animals cannot sweat or pant to work off heat. In fact, when light shines through the ear, you can sometimes see the dense patchwork of blood vessels inside of it that will swell in the heat to lower body temperatures. Habitat a b c d " Lepus europaeus European hare". Animal Diversity. University of Michigan . Retrieved 11 May 2011. Lagos stifado ( Λαγός στιφάδο)—hare stew with pearl onions, vinegar, red wine, and cinnamon—is a much-prized dish enjoyed in Greece and Cyprus and communities in the diaspora, particularly in Australia, where the hare is hunted as a feral pest.Kane, Eloise C. Beyond the Pale: the historical archaeology of hare hunting, 1603-1831. Diss. University of Bristol, 2021. [8] In England, a now rarely served dish is potted hare. The hare meat is cooked, then covered in at least one inch (preferably more) of butter. The butter is a preservative (excludes air); the dish can be stored for up to several months. It is served cold, often on bread or as an appetizer. Edwards, P. J., M. R. Fletcher, and P. Berny. Review of the factors affecting the decline of the European brown hare, Lepus europaeus (Pallas, 1778) and the use of wildlife incident data to evaluate the significance of paraquat. Agriculture, ecosystems & environment 79.2-3 (2000): 95-103. [3] Historically, up to 30 subspecies of European hare have been described, although their status has been disputed. [6] These subspecies have been distinguished by differences in pelage colouration, body size, external body measurements, skull morphology and tooth shape. [15] It can be a bitter cupful to swallow, even for those who understand some of the ecological cost of our modern ways of agriculture and science and intensive farming practices. Most people don’t even see the changes to our entire ecosystem these “progressive” practices have wrought in less than a single generation. The decimation of animal habitat and species and the equal decimation of plant variety and habitat.