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KEMPSHOTT CONSERVATION GROUP |
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Written by Richard Court
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Wednesday, 19 March 2008 |
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March is the month to be on the lookout for mad March hares, so named because they can sometimes be seen boxing. Boxing hares are normally unreceptive females resisting the optimistic advances of amorous males or males trying to exercise their dominance over one another.
Brown hares are native to the UK, but numbers have been steadily declining for many years, possibly due to changes in farming methods. Favouring open habitats such as grassland or fields of arable crops, they are our fastest land animals and escape predators by outrunning them. Unlike rabbits, they live in depressions in the ground, rather than in burrows.
The next time you are in the area keep a good lookout across the fields between Kempshott and Oakley to see how many hares you can spot before the crops grow and conceal them from view.
As always, please let us know of anything usual or interesting whenever you are out and about.
Our work on the Old Hedgerow between Coniston Road and Down Grange is beginning to show some results. Clearing rubbish and thinning the excessive quantities of sycamore is encouraging woodland flowers to grow with, for example, bluebells now starting to make an appearance. We look forward to seeing them flower in late April/early May. There is still much to do, but we have made a promising start.
Work Party dates for March and April are as follows:-
Date & time Meeting point Date & time Meeting point
Sunday,
9 March
10 00 – 13 00
14 00 – 15 00
Old Orchard, Kendal Gardens
(Afternoon - Junior Planters)
Thursday,
10 April
14 00 – 16 00
Old Orchard, Kendal Gardens
Thursday,
20 March
14 00 – 16 00
Gate leading to Old Meadow by St. Mark’s Church
Sunday,
20 April
10 00 – 13 00
Gate leading to Old Meadow by St. Mark’s Church
Sunday,
30 March
10 00 – 13 00
Southern end of Old Hedgerow between Coniston Road and Down Grange
To find out about joining your local conservation group, please send an e-mail to
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or contact Marion Wolstencroft on 01256 470171. Alternatively, why not come to one of our Work Parties. Don’t forget to bring some gloves.
(Article supplied by Kempshott Kourier)
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