Download 4.7. Irish Hare Species Action Plan

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