The weather has not been very good down here, when every where else has had milder than usual temperatures, Bournemouth has been chilly. On the heaths though ,things get a little warmer and usually several degrees warmer than the surrounding countryside. Warm enough for cold blooded animals such as this male common lizard (Zoocoma vivipera) to bask in the sunshine.
Most reptile species are out of hibernation and have cleared their muggy heads of torpor, and will soon be going about their courting business. Many spider species are busy also including hunting spiders. This Alopecosa accentuata is also basking on the warm heathland ground.
And solitary bees such as this female Andrena species bask on tree trunks.
Mad March hares are running riot across open farmland asserting their dominance, especially among females, and the males wait for the rights to mate, often chasing does over many fields. The hare is different from the rabbit in several ways, one being the fact that they do not construct burrows to live in but live above ground and move around open areas often running over long distances. They have huge hearts and much blood. They are more similar to antelope in many ways. Hare does give birth to usually two well formed kits which are left in forms on the open ground. They are fully furred, open eyes and they can run.They have dark flesh when cooked, like venison and it even tastes like it.
Hares have disappeared from many areas lately, even in strong hold areas.
Some hares have been born earlier than usual with this road killed specimen , half grown leveret. There is a common buzzard alongside as a comparison
