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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

For pulling over briefly to watch a Hare?

155 replies

AintNobodyHereButUsChickens · 28/04/2026 11:34

I was heading home on a long drive earlier today and I was on a very long, very straight road and I spotted a Hare loping across the road about 100yds in front of me, when I got to where I’d seen it go, I saw it sat in the field so I pulled up and watched it, and I even took a little video! As I mentioned, the road was very long and straight so I could see a mile in both directions and there was nothing coming whatsoever so I wasn’t inconveniencing any other drivers. All in all I was on the side of the road for no more than a minute before it bounded off and disappeared.

DH rang me a little while later and I excitedly told him about the Hare and that I’d sat and watched it and he made me feel a bit silly for being excited about seeing one. He said they’re ‘not exactly rare’ and that he sees them all the time. The thing is, he used to be a roadworker and now he’s a builder so he’s spent years and countless hours driving endless country roads, so no doubt he has seen loads of Hares over the years. But I’m a SAHM and rarely go out of town. I obviously don’t see Hares on the school run, or in the gym or in town at the shops so it is a rare sighting for me!

Would anyone else have been excited to see a Hare like I was? Here’s a screenshot of the video, sorry it’s so grainy, by the time I’d grabbed my phone it had gotten much further away from me so I had to zoom in!

For pulling over briefly to watch a Hare?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Seacatt · 28/04/2026 21:02

I'm with you!
We passed a river today beside which were a group of Highland cows!
One of them was in the water! (They are good swimmers).
If I had been on my own, I would have stopped to watch them.
DP woudn't stop.

loislovesstewie · 28/04/2026 21:04

FettleOfKish · 28/04/2026 20:19

To be fair I was quite excited to see a dead Hare at the side of the road in Sweden last week (and a dead Moose 🥺), as I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before! YANBU .

I live in East Yorkshire, I see roe deer quite often right in the middle of town in the early morning. They seem to walk beside the railway line into town. I've seen them sleeping right by the tracks near where I live. The wildlife all around us is really wonderful.

FrLarryDuff · 28/04/2026 21:06

I’m always thrilled to see a hare. I’d definitely pull over.

I was driving home once at 4am and I stopped my car on the thankfully empty road to watch a barn owl flying close to me.

bananaboats · 28/04/2026 21:08

I dont think ive ever seen a hare! I see wild rabbits regularly though and always get excited to see them. Your DH sounds miserable.

ButterYellowHair · 28/04/2026 21:30

I grew up in the countryside and only saw a hare once. So I’m not sure why he’s acting like they’re 10 a penny. Their population has dropped by 80% in the last century.

UnctuousUnicorns · 28/04/2026 21:37

We were at Rannoch Moor Station once when a big group of deer came thundering past. Amazing sight.

sparrowhawkhere · 28/04/2026 22:03

I’ve seen
owls
foxes
hedgehogs
badgers
a vole
fieldmice
rabbits
and then on holiday seals
I love seeing wildlife!

Gymnopedie · 28/04/2026 22:30

I see buzzards most days but still get excited and have a little stare when I see one driving!

To be fair, I'd stare if I saw a buzzard driving!

(I'll get my coat..)

MrsClatterbuck · 29/04/2026 01:54

Once when dh and I were dating many moons ago we saw two hares boxing. We were in the countryside and this was the 1st and last time I have seen this happen.

Villanousvillans · 29/04/2026 02:07

I’ve watched a few hares and they are lovely creatures. Your DH is a miserable killjoy.

Natsku · 29/04/2026 03:57

Seacatt · 28/04/2026 21:02

I'm with you!
We passed a river today beside which were a group of Highland cows!
One of them was in the water! (They are good swimmers).
If I had been on my own, I would have stopped to watch them.
DP woudn't stop.

I love Highland cows! My absolute favourite cows.

Feel sorry for the people that rarely see hares, they're in my garden a lot, as well as pheasants and red squirrels.

Natsku · 29/04/2026 03:59

My favourite road animals are reindeer though. Absolutely loved this one walking round the roundabout Grin

For pulling over briefly to watch a Hare?
ony123 · 29/04/2026 04:24

I saw a hare in the grounds of DD's student accommodation in Amsterdam when I went to visit her last weekend. I was transfixed, I've only ever seen a hare once before somewhere quite wild. Apparently European urban hares are thriving in many cities.

LozzaCh0ps · 29/04/2026 04:25

I’ve lived rurally for almost all of my life and I’ve only seen two! I’d have stopped too.

LeftieRightsHoarder · 29/04/2026 04:29

Pieceofpurplesky · 28/04/2026 16:33

I often stop for things like this. There's a pond on a remote road here and I often sit for ages watching ducks and herons. It's peaceful and good for the soul.
You should visit here ...hares are protected in the valley thanks to Saint Melangell
https://stmelangell.org/

Thanks Purple, I followed the link — what a lovely story. Makes me want to visit Melangell’s church and valley.

Meanwhile I’m enjoying this thread, and all the pleasure people get from these wildlife encounters.

DH and I once sat spellbound watching a hare zigzagging along a narrow country road at twilight. It felt magical. We were on holiday with friends in Lindisfarne, Holy Island. On another evening there, our friend pointed out a skylark ascending, which I’d never seen before. That whole area had a magical feel to it.

LemograssLollipop · 29/04/2026 05:09

I would have stopped.

I love stopping to watch wildlife and my DH and husband are the same. My daughter aged 11 sent me a photo she took of a rainbow and all of us point out robins in our garden.... even though they are so common.

SerafinasGoose · 29/04/2026 08:53

MrsClatterbuck · 29/04/2026 01:54

Once when dh and I were dating many moons ago we saw two hares boxing. We were in the countryside and this was the 1st and last time I have seen this happen.

Do you know where I saw this happen? It’s difficult to believe, but it was at Manchester Airport, from a plane window, on a broad grass verge right beside the runway. I’d forgotten all about that until you mentioned it.

They are incredible creatures. Last time I was in the Yorkshire dale I saw male he.n harriers, red grouse and the cherry on the cake was a beautiful brown hare.

allthegoldicouldeat · 29/04/2026 08:56

How lovely.
I’ve never seen one.

LordofMisrule1 · 29/04/2026 08:58

Why is your OH being such a dick to you about this!?

I'd be the exact same, as long as it didn't impact other road users what's the problem?

Does he like to crush your spirit often?

UnctuousUnicorns · 29/04/2026 10:55

Natsku · 29/04/2026 03:57

I love Highland cows! My absolute favourite cows.

Feel sorry for the people that rarely see hares, they're in my garden a lot, as well as pheasants and red squirrels.

I have to shout "Coos!" every time I see them. 😅

Mind, I also shout "Shoops!" when I see ovines.

55 going on 5, me. 🤣

BauhausOfEliott · 29/04/2026 11:39

Wildlife doesn't have to be rare for it to be fascinating.

I've seen many hares over the years and I never tire of seeing them; they're absolutely beautiful and one of my favourite animals to watch. I also love watching foxes, which I actually see all the time.

YANBU and your husband is a joyless twat.

PawMaw · 29/04/2026 11:48

DH and I often drive to an industrial estate where there are hundreds of wild rabbits, we just sit at the side of the road buzzing watching them hop about.

What is life if you can't take pleasure in the little things?!

pawsedforthought · 29/04/2026 12:07

I spent a good 20 minutes this morning watching one of the hares that live in the field behind my house, they always fill me with joy - YANBU

UnctuousUnicorns · 29/04/2026 12:13

Natsku · 29/04/2026 03:59

My favourite road animals are reindeer though. Absolutely loved this one walking round the roundabout Grin

🎵I see you, Reindeer, shaking that ass...🎵

Fabulous pic! 💖