Hi been reading this thread with great interest. Here in NI numbers are up in some places and down in others. Seems to fluctuate year to year. No doubt the warmer weather has something to do with it, Mixy comes and goes, so that impacts numbers as well. I too, have noticed black rabbits occasionally and in one spot where I've seen them, the numbers are definitely down. Is it likely that DEFRA here are spreading a virus to control rabbit numbers? To identify IF there actually IS an official secret plot to eradicate the humble bunny it would only take a question forwarded to the appropriate dept. under the Freedom of Information Act. They must answer, (truthfully and fully), within a set time frame. It is a criminal offence not to answer or to cover up the truth, (with a couple of exceptions, IE, Official Secrets or if it would take over 18hrs. work to answer the question). I'd be surprised that a civil servant, (certainly at lower levels) would be willing to risk losing their freedom, income and pension just to keep rabbit control a secret. Perhaps someone should actually ask the dept. and see what the response is? Maybe the BASC ?? Just my two pennies worth. All the best. J.