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Northern Ireland Irish hare Survey 2009

 
The Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus Bell, 1837) is the only native lagomorph in Ireland and is currently classified as an endemic sub-species of the mountain hare (L. timidus Linnaeus, 1758). It attracted major conservation concern following a population decline during the late 20^th century. It is subject to a Northern Ireland and All-Ireland Species Action Plan and is one of the highest priority species for conservation action in Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Irish hare survey was undertaken during early 2009 and compared to a similar undertaken during 2008.
 
Standardised field survey methods and analytical techniques were employed to enable direct between-year comparisons enabling relative change in hare density to be evaluated. 
 
Using conventional analysis the mean estimated Irish hare density in Northern Ireland during early 2009 was 1.95 hares.km^-2 (95% CI 1.44-2.65), giving a total estimated abundance of 27,400 hares (95% CI 20,400-37,500). 
 
Estimated hare density during 2009 was lower than during 2008 but the 95% confidence intervals of both estimates overlapped. Therefore, there has been no significant change in the hare population since 2008 (see graph). 
 
We make the 5 recommendations for action:

1. Deployment of standardised survey methodology during 2010.
    
2. Retrospective re-analysis of hare survey data using custom Distance analysis techniques from 2002 to 2010. Improvements in Distance analysis methods made by Quercus in collaboration with the Research Unit for Wildlife Population Assessment (RUWPA) in the University of St. Andrews, may enable past estimates to be refined increasing their accuracy and precision. 
    
3. Evaluation of Irish hare Species Action Plan targets during late 2010 using retrospectively applied custom Distance analysis density estimates. 
    
4. Development of a long-term Irish hare monitoring programme beyond 2010 and the discharge of the Irish hare Species Action Plan targets.
    
5. Research on the population biology of Irish hares remains necessary. There is insufficient information on the most basic aspects of demography such as survival and productivity, their relationship with intrinsic and extrinsic factors and the spatial scale at which these factors affect population change. Particular attention should be given to the influence of pastoral farmland management (e.g. silage harvest) on population recruitment.