John Muir’s Mantle

heidi08 Friends of Martinez Beavers April 3, 2008

Linda Meza

Every now and again – if you’re paying attention – people will behave in such a way that a wellspring of optimism just bubbles up from inside and leaves you with a smile on your face. Personally speaking when that happens I mark those moments and use them to counter the daily diet of negativity the press serves up.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing two such events in just as many weeks: the first being the presentation by Rona Zollinger’s EAS students to the Alhambra Creek Beavers subcommittee meeting February 19th. What these youth may have lacked in polish they more than made up for in passion. Anyone who has or is raising teenagers knows that passion can take all sorts of interesting twists and turns, and sadly some can lead to choices which carry life long consequences. I have every confidence that the students I met that night are and will continue to make excellent choices.

The second such moment happened this past Sunday when our intrepid mascot Chip made his debut appearance at the Escobar Street Bridge. One of those cute little Mini Coopers was driving up the street just as Chip introduced himself to me and like some scene from Ringling Brothers out of it tumbled three adolescent boys with an enthusiastic cry of “Save the Beavers!”

The boys surprised Chip with a hug worthy of any Disney character and two of the boys posed with him for a picture. The young men were gone just as fast as they arrived with a gentle reminder from the driver, “boys don’t forget to thank Mr. Beaver”. “Thank you Mr. Beaver” the three cried as they drove from sight.

Creative Solutions Part I: Flow Devices

heidi08 Creative Solutions January 13, 2009

Flow Devices – A step toward co-existence

Beavers are triggered to work on the dam by the sound of running water. Flow devices are used to trick or prevent the beaver from building it up.

Beaver management expert Skip Lisle (shown here) installed a flow regulating device on the primary dam. He refers to this device as a “Castor Master”.

Basically, it is double walled, 10-inch flexible tubing that extends on both sides of the dam to allow water to flow through based on gravity. (There is no suction or mechanical parts).

The entrance to the tubing is protected by wire mesh Skip calls the “filter”. This is wide enough to prevent the beavers from feeling the suction and blocking theflow. A schematic drawing (below) of the similar “Flexible Leveler” is shown from Beaver management expert Mike Callahan, and outlines what is involved.

The beavers are prevented from obstructing the pipe, and the pipe is installed to keep the water at the desired height. Although there has been some confusion about the filter’s purpose it is not a cage for the beavers,but more like a cage for the pipe. The exit from the pipe is securely anchored with rebar because of the heavy tides.

Skip Lisle installed this device in early January 08 and the height of the dam has been safely maintained since that time. This is one of the many efforts that have been made toward co-existing. It goes to show you what a little creative problem solving can accomplish.

Taking Care Of Business

bruce85@mac.com Beavers, pictures March 2, 2008

Photo: Cheryl Reynolds

Beavers Everywhere…

bruce85@mac.com Beaver News March 1, 2008

I stood at the Escobar bridge today and watched mom get followed by the littlest beaver, who persuaded her to stop her work long enough for a nuzzle. The pair swam side-by-side and then dove with sychronistic grace, surfacing together and ducking back under in tandem like furry dolphins. Dad and a larger kit took sticks to the mostly repaired main dam: one corner is still letting water escape and they seemed determined to fix it. A familiar face on his way to work stopped his jaunty walk to watch my watching and say “I think they’re gone, aren’t they?” to which the beavers replied by elegantly continuing to exist.
“Nope, not gone,” I pointed, as two swam out from under the bridge.

They were definately feeding upstream, so maybe the rain helped them get a little more elbow room in both directions. The secondary dam is looking repaired; no scaups in evidence but a pair of california towhee’s chasing eachother in the berry bushes with what looked like love on their minds.
When I left I stopped at the dam before leaving I saw one last perfectionistic beaver haul out of the water, test a stick that was already in the placed, shift it slightly, and then paddle with satisfaction off to bed. A lovely morning for beaver-watching.

As an aside, I’ve been doing my math homework, adding up gestation days from when Moses filmed the pair almost mating. It was late december, and my research is telling me about 110 days for the pregnancy length. Assuming the act was consumated the last week of december we would be at day 66, which would put birth somewhere around tax time. Who knew something good could come on April 15th?