High on Eyam Moor in Derbyshire, the vibrant summer landscape recently provided a picturesque backdrop for a challenging wildlife observation. Despite the abundance of meadow vetch, lady’s bedstraw, and heath bedstraw, all teeming with small heath butterflies and accompanied by the songs of skylarks and goldfinches, the primary subject of interest – a young hare, or leveret – proved remarkably elusive.
An attempt to locate a leveret, following a tip-off from local residents, revealed only the faint impression of its former resting place. Near a gritstone field wall, long grasses were flattened into a 'form' where the leveret had spent its early weeks. However, by the time of the visit, the creature had already moved on, a testament to its inherent need for discretion and mobility.
Britain is home to three lagomorph species: the native mountain hare, which maintains a small population in the Peak District, and the more recently introduced brown hare and rabbit. Hares and rabbits exhibit markedly different reproductive strategies. Rabbit kits are born blind and hairless, requiring the security of a burrow for their initial development. In contrast, leverets are born precocial – fully furred and with open eyes, ready to navigate the perilous world from birth.
The survival of young hares hinges on an intricate strategy of subterfuge and 'hiding in plain sight'. The mother hare visits her offspring only at dusk for a brief suckling period, typically lasting just a few minutes. This minimal interaction prevents her presence from drawing unwanted attention from predators such as foxes or stoats. Leverets are also known to move away from their 'form' to defecate, further reducing any scent that might betray their location.
This 'light touch' approach to existence allows hares to effectively disappear into their surroundings, making sightings a rare and rewarding experience for wildlife enthusiasts. The fleeting glimpse of black-tipped ears above thistles on a track serves as a reminder of their masterful camouflage and their constant, silent presence within the British countryside.