A method for counting hares by spotlight.

Abstract

Brown hares (Lepus capensis L.) are generally difficult to observe in daytime as they are inactive and can hide easily, even when cover is minimal. At night, when they are active, their eyeshine makes them easy to see with a spotlight.

We developed a method for estimating a population density on English farmland by counting hares at night. The method is derived in part from Frylestam (1981).