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Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Lepus timidus hibernicus Species Action Plan 2008 - 2013 Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan Irish Hare in the Lough Neagh Wetlands Introduction The Irish hare Lepus timidus hibernicus is a sub-species of the European mountain hare and is endemic to Ireland. It is found in many different habitats including unimproved, semi improved and improved grassland, arable cereal fields and in lowland-raised bogs, although generally at low densities in this habitat (about 1 per square kilometre). They also tend to occur on modified grassland habitats such as golf courses and airfields. Background Historically, the Irish hare was widespread and common throughout Ireland, though populations are thought to have undergone a substantial decline in the last 15-25 years. Estimates indicate that the present Northern Ireland population may be as low as 8250. There are small populations of the brown hare Lepus europaeus (L.) in the northern half of Ireland, including the Lough Neagh Wetlands. This species was widely introduced throughout Ireland in the nineteenth century and studies have shown that inter-specific competition with the native Irish hare is likely. Threats Loss and fragmentation of habitat Habitat change and changes in farming practice, such as loss of species-rich grassland, increased field size and linked loss of field boundaries, and the switch from spring to winter cereals (winter sown crops are harvested in late spring/early summer when leverets are still young). Habitat fragmentation can occur in these situations, causing small populations to be isolated and prone to predator activity and local extinction. Loss of refuge areas Loss of refuge areas for daytime lie-up sites, particularly rushes and good quality hedgerows Disturbance Increased levels of disturbance due mainly to high livestock stocking densities on farms, increased use of farm machinery, peat cutting machines and disturbance by cats and dogs Increased levels of mortality and predation Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan Highly efficient mechanized harvesting of agricultural crops and silage is likely to impact on hare mortality, with leverets being particularly vulnerable. Studies on the level of threat not yet carried out.Increased levels of predation on leverets by foxes, crows and magpies is also a threat, especially where the hare population is small and/or fragmented. Illegal hunting Illegal taking of hares (in contravention of the Games Preservation Act), and clubs not following best practice guidelines. Hare Coursing Where hare coursing activities result in the unsustainable taking of hares for sporting purposes Brown Hares Where their ranges overlap, competition occurs between brown and Irish hares for resources. Opportunities Habitat creation and management Identify the hotspots for Irish hare in the Lough Neagh Wetlands and target the areas nearby for the creation of suitable habitat that allows the species to expand its range Establish hare reserve Establish a hare reserve in the Lough Neagh Wetlands, to help maintain numbers at present levels. Accessible to public? Maintain database of hare sightings Encourage public participation in appropriate survey work and encourage the reporting of incidental sightings of Irish hares, and brown hares, to relevant bodies, ensuring that there is a system set up to deal with the verification of reports. Produce identification leaflets so that the public can tell the difference between Irish hares, brown hares and rabbits, when reporting incidental sightings of Irish hare Maintain a database of Irish hare and brown hare records and ensure this is stored on the Lough Neagh Wetlands GIS and at CEDaR. Report Wildlife Crime Undertake close monitoring of hare coursing activities and report Wildlife Crime to the Wildlife Liaison Officer of the PSNI Agri-environment Schemes Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan Encourage DARD to adopt a specific Irish hare option under the CMS / ESA and carry out local research into the effectiveness of this option for the maintenance and enhancement of the Irish hare population. Target farmers and landowners in Irish hare hotspots with advice and information on managing land, once these hotspots have been identified Undertake research and survey work Ensure that the public and surveyors are aware of the difference in the Irish hare and the Brown hare, especially in areas such as Magherafelt and Dungannon where the brown hare population is high. Encourage the public to report brown hares so that a local knowledge can be built up of their distribution. Set up a programme for having ear punch tissue samples of dead hares sent to Quercus for genetic analysis – especially in areas where Irish and brown hares co-exist? Undertake research into hare mortality as a result of silage cutting. Hybridisation with brown hares is not yet considered a threat but the species’ interaction needs to be monitored. Lobby for Legal Protection The Irish hare is a quarry species and only enjoys limited protection under domestic legislation. In January 2004, following public consultation, the Northern Ireland Environment Minister introduced a 12 month ban on the taking, selling or killing of Irish hares under the Game Preservation Act (Northern Ireland) 1928. The Irish hare is listed under Annex V (a) of the EU Directive 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive). This Annex lists animal and plant species of Community interest who’s taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures. Review the Irish hare population regularly and amend protection status under the Northern Ireland Wildlife Order as appropriate, based on scientific evidence. Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan Irish Hare - Objectives & Targets Objectives & Targets OBJECTIVE TARGET IH/01 Maintain the existing range of Irish hare 2008 IH/02 Increase uptake of hare-friendly prescriptions under agrienvironment schemes 2013 IH/03 Maintain and increase the area and quality of suitable hare habitat. 2013 IH/04 Raise awareness of the habitat requirements of the Irish hare in the Wetlands 2013 IH/05 Confirm the population of Irish hares in the Lough Neagh Wetlands 2013 Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan Irish Hare - Action Actions ACTION LEAD PARTNER PARTNERS TO BE ACHIEVED BY 31st Dec: 2008 OBJECTIVES MET IH/A1 Conduct a base-line survey to determine the current population of the Irish hare in the Lough Neagh Wetlands UWT EHS / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / / CBC IH/A2 Maintain a database of Irish hare records and ensure this is stored on the Lough Neagh Wetlands GIS and at CEDaR. LNAC DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNP / UWT / CBC 2008 IH/05 IH/A3 Identify the hotspots for Irish hare in the Lough Neagh Wetlands and target the areas nearby for the creation / maintenance of suitable habitat that allows the species to expand its range, ensuring that local farmers have access to information on hare friendly land management such as delayed grass cutting and grazing. Encourage public participation in appropriate survey work and encourage the reporting of incidental sightings to relevant bodies. UWT EHS / DARD / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / CBC 2009 IH/O3 UWT 2009 IH/04 / IH/05 IH/A5 Establish the status of the brown hare in the Lough Neagh Wetlands to help investigate its impact on the local Irish hare populations. UWT 2010 IH/05 IH/A6 Inform local authorities and statutory agencies of the known presence of Irish hares on their land and ensure that they are aware of the potential risks to the species through inappropriate land management or development. UWT DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / CBC EHS / DARD / LNAC / LNP / / CBC DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / CBC 2010 IH/04 IH/A4 Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan IH/05 IH/A7 IH/A8 IH/A9 IH/A10 Prepare habitat management advisory material and distribute to land managers in known Irish hare localities to promote the uptake of agrienvironment options that encourage delayed grass cutting and grazing to benefit Irish ahreas Produce identification leaflets so that the public can tell the difference between Irish hares, brown hares and rabbits, when reporting incidental sightings of Irish hare Raise awareness, on an annual basis, among agri-environment scheme advisors of the need to promote the take-up of agrienvironment options that benefit Irish hares Produce 5 written articles (1 per year) that raises awareness among the general public of the presence of Irish hares and their conservation requirements UWT DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / CBC 2010 IH/04 UWT DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / CBC DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNAC / LNP / CBC DARD / EHS / FWAG / LNP / UWT / CBC 2010 IH/04 2013 IH/04 2013 IH/04 UWT LNAC Lough Neagh Wetlands Irish Hare Species Action Plan