Rabbits

The field adjoining the wood I habitually refer to as the 'rabbit field'. Apparently, it has been left uncultivated and without pasturage for some years, as it was purchased by a speculator, who then sold off small lots when there was actually no possibility of it being built upon. As such, it has many different owners and the local council is powerless to do anything about it. It is therefore, pretty much left for dog-walking and grazing by rabbits.
This past summer saw an explosion in the rabbit population. Some evenings, at dusk, I would see fifty or sixty rabbits all grazing together and when they moved towards a warren on the edge of the wood, it almost appeared as if the field itself was on the move.
Dylan is half border collie and half whippet. He is very interested in the rabbits, but, he is confused. He wants to chase them but also wishes to herd them. When he springs a rabbit from long grass he will give chase and is equal in speed to to his quarry but, if the rabbit should make a fast turn, as is their wont, the dog is immediately left wanting. Sometimes he even appears to be genuinely confused ("Where did that go?")
 I have seen evidence of myxamatosis amongst the rabbits and this is one of the means by which their numbers are

controlled. The local fox population and occasional visits by buzzards undoubtedly are the main reason why their numbers tend to plummet over the winter only to start up again come the warmer days of spring. This picture shows Dylan with his nose down a rabbit hole.