Frosty Hares

Yesterday morning found me out and about in some of my favourite areas of Bowland.I had decided on an early morning visit as I have found that this is the best time to observe the wildlife. My primary objective was the brown hare which can with a bit of luck be approached closely using the comfort of the car as a mobile hide.Yesterday morning was perhaps the coldest so far of what has been a very mild and very wet winter.

It was around -3degrees with a heavy frost adding to the beauty of this lovely part of Lancashire.I have shown above a couple of images of the vale of Chipping seen from on top of Longridge Fell and down at valley level showing the heavy frost whitening the fields.It was quite good for hares with a dozen or so seen on my travels around the quiet lanes and backroads of Bowland.I have shown a few images above of the brown hares and you will be able to see the ice on the hare's whiskers as they waited for the warmth of the early morning sun.I have also included a shot of one of the curlews which are now returning to these upland fields to breed. Hope you enjoy my selection from the first of what I hope are many early morning forays to see the wonderful and varied wildlife of Bowland.Thanks for looking in.