Mountain hare. (1 Viewer)

[Owene]

Does anyone know if mountain hare is present on Skye? Am holidaying there at the end of the month.

 

[Julie50]

I have no idea - but this link seems to suggest yes? Might be worth contacting them for details?

Species – Mountain hare - The Mammal Society

Mountain hare - Lepus timidus Taxon: Lagomorpha Mountain Hare Red List Classification: GB: Near Threatened England: N/A Scotland: Near Threatened Wales: N/A Global: Least Concern General fact sheet (click to download) Habitat: Upland & moorland Description: The mountain hare's...

www.mammal.org.uk

 

[Owene]

Thank you. Looks. Like a possibility but maybe not one to expect.

 

[Xenospiza]

It is not present on Skye:

Distribution of mountain hares | Ecological Sciences | Research | The James Hutton Institute

In 2007 the then Macaulay Land Use Research Institute (now part of the James Hutton Institute), in a collaborative project led by The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, and in association with The Scottish Game Keepers Association and Scottish Natural Heritage, completed the first national...

www.hutton.ac.uk

 

[Owene]

Thanks. That seems well researched. I've seen them before I was just wondering about year list possibilities

 

[Julie50]

Hi

You never know the Hutton Institute map is from 2007 and the Mammal Society from 2018. Both say it was introduced in the islands whilst being indigenous on the mainland - good luck. They are interesting being not only our only Arctic species, but our only native hare/rabbit. If I read things correctly

 

[Owene]

Yes. So many of our mammals were actually introduced. I’ve watched them in the cairngorms and they are lovely

 

[Steve Babbs]

Thank you. Looks. Like a possibility but maybe not one to expect.

I didn't see one when I was there for a week but it was August and Covid time - when we couldn't go abroad - so there were absolutely masses of people there.