It is a well known fact that rabbits are capable of breeding throughout the year. I have never previously seen a baby in December, but this afternoon I did.
The local Lakes hold a quite large population of rabbits and it seems that at almost any time of day, you are likely to see one or two. Today, on a typically cold and grey early December afternoon, we saw several adult rabbits and then had a huge surprise when we saw a baby. Fortunately, Dylan did not see it or it may not have survived for much longer.
There are so many ways in which the weather this year has failed to comply with the normal seasonal patterns and this very late autumn has been no exception. Rabbits will respond in their breeding cycle to the environment. The grass is still growing and this female clearly has been duped into thinking that spring has arrived. If the weather had turned colder as is expected by the end of the week, then it is likely that the pregnancy would have been ended or delayed within the womb for this is something that rabbits are capable of, but the relatively mild weather has induced this birth.
Also saw a Reed Bunting beside the largest lake, which is a first for this site.
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