Rabbits
Rabbits are an imported species in the United Kingdom!
They were brought into the country in Norman times and kept in enclosed areas called Warrens to provide a regular supply of food.
Eventually they escaped and established feral colonies, spreading throughout the country.
They can be a serious pest of crops and cause damage to banks which they burrow into.
Their habit of close grazing and scraping often encourages the spread of weed species which can degrade the quality of pasture.
Management usually involves some habitat changes as well as fencing and access control to areas that need protecting.
They are generally only viewed as a pest where their numbers or activity create problems. There is a legal requirement to prevent rabbits originating on your land from causing a nuisance on someone else's.
On airports, their presence encourages predators like Buzzards which can become a hazard for aircraft taking off and landing. On footpaths and bridleways, tunnels can create hazards for horse and human traffic.
On railway lines they can undermine the permanent way and destabilise embankments.
