I always assumed that boxing hares were two males fighting for territory or females, but it’s more likely to be a female fighting off a male and this is where the term ‘mad as a March hare’ – for their propensity to box. March is midway through their mating season and the most likely time of year to see them out and about.

The females usually have 3-4 litters of 2-4 leverets each year, bringing them up in shallow ‘dishes’ on the ground rather than underground in burrows so they prefer open pasture, grassland, arable fields, hedges and woodland edges. Sadly this makes them vulnerable to predators (mainly foxes) and farm machinery. As a result and the added pressure from hunting, their numbers are declining though they are not currently protected.

They are beautiful animals to watch. We have a few on our fields and it’s difficult not to disturb them – they’re so well hidden by the long grass, that you can get really quite close without realising it. The first that you’ll know of them is they shoot off like a bolt of lighting streaking across the field. We do occasionally meet one lolloping up the drive or nibbling the herbal grass on the side – they’re a joy to see and I hope we see many more this year.

📷 Philip Tomlinson via Adobe Stock #524623659