The Scottish mountain hare, native to the Scottish Highlands, is recognized for its white coat in winter and brown in summer. It has recently seen an increase in population, thanks to the effective habitat management of another animal — the red grouse.
The increase in previously dwindling mountain hares is attributed to the "best in a generation" season for the game bird. The heather moorland managed for the grouse provides a thriving environment for the hares, which currently number nearly 350,000.
"I have seen more mountain hares this year than at any time since I came here," said Danny Lawson, gamekeeper at the Glenogil Estate in the Angus Glens.
"Our mountain hare population has been increasing along with grouse over the last three years because our heather management gives them good grazing and because of predator control over the estate and other neighbouring estates."
Lawson also credited the good climatic conditions during breeding season over the last two years.
The increase in Scottish mountain hares is being welcomed by conservationists. The population is known to fluctuate in a cycle of seven to 10 years, but, due to the active and consistent efforts in the managed moorlands, the species faces a sustainable future.
Tim Baynes, the director of Scottish Moorland Group, acknowledged that there are "surprising gaps" in human knowledge of the mountain hares, which could lead to incorrect assumptions about changes in population. Nevertheless, he said, long-term observations strongly suggest that a link exists between land management and the hare population.
"Hare numbers are likely to go down where moorland is unmanaged or afforested but will increase where managed for red grouse," Baynes explained.
Photo Credit: Stuart Gordon | Flickr
