Hare today and here tomorrow...

The brown hare is as tough as they come. Mad? Ascribedly and anthropomorphically, yes, but they are stunning creatures. Not for them, even in our harshest weather, a nest or burrow. Not for them the fattening up for the coming cold and not for them a winter sleep in the cushioning depths of a winter shelter. They simply look in the face of whatever nature brings and tough it out.

Two have spent the last 48 hours down in a form, as their settling places are called, surrounded by the latest couple of inches of snow. We see them regularly in this place and watch them, like fond parents watching their children outside, secretly and not wanting to disturb their world. Surrounded by snow they are effortless to notice, as they crouch or sit still in silence. Towards the end of the afternoon, as darkness takes the colour form the field, they often can be seen grooming themselves.

They must be real hardy types. I mean, its cold out there with temperatures dipping by more than just a few degrees overnight. No wonder the males go mad in Spring. When put to it, they can really motor. Low to the ground they take off in an instant and hit top sprinting speed in two strides. A magnificent sight. Still or streaking, I really admire these creature and have done so for a long time.

Classed as game, they can be hunted. But unlike other game, they have no part of the year with protection and thus are not only fair game but all year round game. Tough and built to withstand all nature can heave their way, their make up did not take account of that most dangerous of mammals, man.

Numbers have dropped dramatically, not directly or massively by any climate irregularities, but by the vagaries in the farming landscape. Like many bird species, hares are susceptible to changes in farming methods and farming madness. Intense cropping and use of chemicals are cited whenever a specie's population declines. This decline is a trend that is reversing due to pressure from conservation groups and farmers being encouraged to be more caring. And rightly so.

This is a noble creature.

Their behaviour is symbolic of stoicism, stubbornness, and calmness in the face of adversity, some of the celebrated characteristics of the English race and thus, the hare should be our symbol.