GMEU generously covered setup costs for the website. We are looking for a long term sponsor.

Hare conservation and recording

The Hare Conservation and Recording Project is a joint venture of the biodiversity partnerships for Lancashire, Greater Manchester and North Merseyside. Our aim is to bring together, under one site, information on the various actions and recording schemes being undertaken to further the conservation of these emblematic farmland mammals in our area. The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit have generously covered the initial setup costs for this website, but we are looking for a long-term partner and sponsor for the website and projectwe are looking for a long-term partner and sponsor for the website and project. If you would be interested, please contact us.

This website will give you information on our hares and show you ways in which you can contribute to their conservation - particularly by reporting sightings of them. Every single well-recorded sighting of a hare is a valuable step in furthering efforts to conserve these animals Every single well-recorded sighting of a hare is a valuable step in furthering efforts to conserve these animals . We need good information on their whereabouts and populations in order to develop and target sound conservation actions.

Declining populations

© Marlene Thyssen (Wiki Commons)
Brown Hare in full flight. Although still a relatively common species, the Brown Hare suffered a dramatic population decline in the first part of the 20th centurythe Brown Hare suffered a dramatic population decline in the first part of the 20th century. A post-war increase in numbers was followed by another severe decline between the 1960s and 1980s. There are now believed to be around one million Brown Hares nationally - approximately 20% of the population in the Victorian era. The decline appears to have been faster and more severe in western pastoral regions of the country such as ours. (More information on population.)

A conservation priority in Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside

Because of the decline in numbers, particularly in areas like ours, action plans for Brown Hare are incorporated into each of the three Local Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) for Lancashire, Greater Manchester and North Merseyside - the plans which set conservation priorities in our area. One of the greatest barriers to successful conservation of any species is a lack of knowledge on distribution and abundanceOne of the greatest barriers to successful conservation of any species is a lack of knowledge on distribution and abundance and this is as true for Brown Hare as any other species. All three LBAPs recognise this lack for information and all have set targets and/or actions to increase our knowledge of their numbers and whereabouts.

This website will bring together information on all the ways in which you can help to locate and count hares in our area. Read on to find out how you can help.