Month: January 2014

USDA reviews Flow Devices

heidi08 Creative Solutions January 31, 2014

Do you remember how you felt when your least favorite cousin did an amazing job in the school play? Well get ready for a surprise from the USDA.

UPDATE: Just got an email from Jimmy who wanted very much to know why he was our least favorite cousin! NOOOOOO What I meant to say was that if federal agencies who managed beavers were all like our cousins, USDA would probably be our least favorite. Not Dr. Taylor personally. Ohh….

(Must remember that sometimes people actually read this site…)

The Evolution of Flow Devices Used to Reduce Flooding by Beavers: A Review

JIMMY D. TAYLOR & RUSSELL D. SINGLETON,

Dams created by American beavers (Castor canadensis) are associated with positive and negative values, and beaver management decisions are based on stakeholder perception and levels of tolerance. Lethal trapping is a widely used and accepted tool to reduce beaver damage caused by flooding; however, acceptable and efficacious non-lethal tools are increasingly desired by the public. We traced the origin of non-lethal tools used to reduce beaver flooding as far back as the early 20th century, when beavers received protective status and were reintroduced to many areas across North America.

These tools focus on 2 general factors—exclusion and deception—and can be categorized as fence systems and pipe systems. We found few technological advances in tools to reduce beaver flooding until the 1980–1990s, when fence systems and pipe systems were integrated to create “flow devices.” There are few studies that evaluate fence systems, pipe systems, and flow devices; however, we address their findings in chronological order.

We recommend that natural resource managers avoid using fence systems or pipe systems alone, unless they can be used in areas where maintenance requirements and expected damage are extremely low. Flow devices are not intended to replace lethal control; however, we recommend use of flow devices as part of integrated management plans where beaver flooding conflicts are expected and where local conditions allow flow-device installation and maintenance. Future research should evaluate flow devicesunder a range of environmental conditions and include considerations for fish passage.

Published 2013. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the US

Go read the whole thing here. (Oh and don’t neglect the thank yous at the end where reader H. Perryman is mentioned.)

Famous Beavers and Superb Owl week

heidi08 Beaver News, Beaver-themed merchandise, Beavers elsewhere January 30, 2014

More flurry about the brave pioneer colonizing Devon at the moment. Isn’t that always the way? You work hard every day for familiar beavers that matter. And then some new beaver shows up and the world can’t seem to get enough of it! This from Scientific American:

First Wild Beaver in 800 Years Confirmed in England?

Few species recoveries have ever been as dramatic as that of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Once overhunted to near extinction, only 1,200 beavers remained by the year 1900. Today, after more than a century of intense management and reintroductions, the beaver population stands at more than one million (pdf), which can now be found in almost every country in their historic range in Europe and Asia.

One notable exception to that recovery, so far, has been England, where beavers were all killed off more than 800 years ago (they disappeared from the rest of the U.K. around 1600). Although a few small groups of captive beavers live in England and there are plans to eventually reintroduce some of the furry rodents back into the wild, none live there naturally, on their own.

Until now.

John Platt wrote a fine article. (I of course made sure to write him about salmon extinction and beaver, which he responded to this morning). I wish Scientific American (is that an oxymoron?) would realize that the REAL BEAVER STORY is the fact that we’re worried about salmon, worried about drought, worried about climate change, and maniacally killing off the water-savers that could rescue us all.

Well I guess we should enjoy the excitement while it lasts.

Apparently some people are enjoying it too much:

‘Don’t scare off our rare beaver’

Farmer David Lawrence, who owns the land where the beaver was spotted, said the sighting could provide an unexpected boost for his camp site business.

“It’s definitely a novelty,” he added. “The Otter is very busy with wildlife, it’s already a beautiful place to come and this is just another great thing for visitors.”

But he politely requested that would-be beaver spotters refrain from searching the area in case they disturb the animal.

“The last thing we want to do is upset him and for him to move on,” he said. “We’re not sure how he’d react to seeing people, and having seen what his teeth have done to the trees it may be best to avoid him!”

That’s right. You saw what he did to that man in Belarus didn’t you? You want to be next? Then back the hell away!

I certainly have felt that way with our beavers at times, but what I have learned is that the more people watching and caring about beavers, the safer they get. There’s always someone on hand to scold folks who walk on the dam or stand to close. And in England with all those animal-lovin’ sorts, even the little old ladies will be fierce about it. I wouldn’t worry too much about this beaver being scared off if I were you.

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Yesterday the mailman brought 5 packages of beaver donations to our house! It was weirdly like Christmas, only much, much more beavery! I’d thought I’d share first a double gift from Paula at Owls and Friends in Wisconsin. Beaver-photographer Ann Siegal from Virginia showed me some amazing beaver earrings they had, so I wrote them our story. They answered very kindly and said they were all out of beavers – but they loved our story so much could they send gifts anyway? Guess what I said.

How pretty are these?

Thanks Owls & Friends! They will be sooooo popular! And speaking of owls, did you see that Stephen Colbert has been talking about Superb Owl week and had the President & CEO of Audubon on last night?

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From Bad to Worse

heidi08 Beaver-themed merchandise, Beavers elsewhere, Who's Killing Beavers Now? January 29, 2014

I weeded out the bad news yesterday but today there’s an extra helping. Let’s start with Gatineau Park. If that sounds familiar it should – it’s where Michel LeClare invented the limitors that became the basis for flow devices used by Mike and Skip.

NCC keeping a close eye on Gatineau Park’s beaver population

Over the last few decades, the National Capital Commission has learned to live in harmony with the park’s beaver, which number more than 1,100 in 272 active beaver colonies, according to a 2011 air inventory.

Where possible, the NCC favours an approach of coexistence. Last fall, the CBC’s The Nature of Things profiled the innovative efforts of Michel Leclair, a former NCC conservation officer who has designed and installed more than 200 water control devices that have helped minimize the beaver’s destructive impact.

The NCC uses lethal force most often at 56 of its 154 monitoring stations in Gatineau Park, where it takes a “zero tolerance” approach to the presence of beaver. “Basically it’s the areas where if a dam was to break or rupture, it would present the biggest problem in terms of public safety and infrastructure,” said Emily Keough, an NCC spokesperson.

Ahh the noble NCC. I believe their motto is “We’ll allow ourselves to get credit in the documentary for living with beavers, but we still want permission to kill a few.” How exactly are these zero tolerance areas marked so the beavers know not to build there? Are their signs or caution tape?

It occurs to me that some judiciously applied castoreum might do the trick. (A beaver won’t build there if they believe someone else already has) – but don’t let science interfere with your trapping party. I can see you’re on a mission. Well, a coMISSION.

How about this inscrutable news item from Kentucky? (Where’s Ian when you need him?)

Bad beaver busted

Bruce Ward of South Mayo Trail in Pikeville shows a beaver he killed on Monday. Ward said the beaver was becoming a nuisance in the area and after contacting Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife officials told him he could harvest the animal. The beaver, Ward said, is 55 inches long and 15 inches wide.

Where to begin? First of all, how exactly was the beaver bad? Was he hanging around with the wrong crowd? Do you mean the beaver was successful, and built a dam that held back water? Just in a place you didn’t like? And second of all, why is the fact that Bruce couldn’t solve a problem so he decided to kill it instead, news? I mean, is it news when someone catches the mice in their pantry? Or steps on a spider on the sidewalk? If these minor wildlife infractions don’t rise to the level of news, why does the death of the allegedly ‘bad’ beaver?

Could it be because you know better? Or could it be that you’re glancing over the state line at your neighbors in West Virginia saying, my god we had really better take care of the things that take care of our water!

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This morning’s donation is from Northwoods Carvings and hand carved walnut by master carver Marc Degagne in Canada. Can’t you just feel the smooth weight of this water-saver when you look at it? Thanks Marc and Claire! I know this will be a popular item.

And I sang this song all the time when we won the beaver battle in Martinez! Thanks for everything Pete.

About Friggin’ Time!

heidi08 Beavers, Beavers elsewhere January 28, 2014

Beavers might be the ticket for wild steelhead survival

Depending who you ask, beavers can be a blessing or a curse. Considered shadow rodents because we don’t hear much about them unless their building activities create some public safety issues, it is a known fact beavers and their dams play an important role in nature’s big picture, and because of the dramatic effects their dams have on surrounding ecosystems, beavers are considered a keystone species. Today, biologists, scientists and naturalists are embracing the beaver’s ability to create wetlands and other natural habitats.

That’s right. The day after the SF gate announced that salmon could become extinct and painfully ignored the role of beaver, Washington says gosh, beavers sure are good for steelhead, and when are we going to start using them to build habitat? The timing could not be better and I hope it at least makes the reporter of the gate article idly curious. Look at this, for example!

Beavers, salmon returning to Los Gatos Creek

Mind you this is a different location on Los Gatos Creek than our previous beaver sighting! You have to sit through a comercial to watch this clip but it’s worth it!

Nice work team San Jose! Remember if folks can start to clean out the creeks, beavers can make them salmon-friendly!

Lots of good beaver news today. Here’s a part where residents are begging for beavers to be removed and officials say they can stay. No, really!

Locals to Golden Gardens beavers: Please leave

Ballard locals say beavers have cut numerous trees and devastated two scenic ponds at Golden Gardens Park. It’s their natural habitat and they can stay, parks officials respond.

You could stand on a footbridge between the ponds and gaze out onto this peaceful preserve. Chirp, chirp.

Then two or three years ago arrived one beaver, or maybe it’s up to a dozen beavers — depending on which irate leisurely stroller you talk to.

Seattle Parks and Recreation estimates the rodents have downed 65 to 75 trees so they could eat the bark, and build a dam and a lodge.

The parks department says their tree cutting is just part of nature. It’s not going to relocate the beavers.

Ahh Washington State! Even when you’re being stupid about beavers you are still smarter than the other 49! Why aren’t people telling them that beavers make habitat for more birds? Here’s the sign those park officials need to display. Or heck, just give them my email. I’ll talk to those bird lovers!

Yesterday a lovely silver ball chain necklace arrived in the mail from Cecile Stewart in North Carolina of Partsforyou. She makes necklaces and earrings out of really beautiful old coins. I can’t find a photo of the one she sent so this must have been her last, but it is awesome and happens to be dated the year of my birth. I wouldn’t bother bidding on this at all because you will never, never win. Thanks Cecile!

Recycled Beavers

heidi08 Environmental, New Species January 27, 2014

foundonebeav[1] — A Eurasian beaver from Sweden, the same species as the one discovered in Devon. Credit: Janos Jurka.

This is just about the only wonderful photo of a beaver we don’t have! (Cheryl, get on that, will you?) It is featured on this morning’s story here, discussing the beaver in Devon with a fine report on why beavers matter.

Found: One beaver

Countries across Europe have been reintroducing the beaver since the 1920s. Britain is one of the last regions to begin reintroduction, but there are now several controlled trial projects around Britain, including in Devon, Kent and Gloucestershire.

It’s a mystery, however, where the beaver caught on amateur video appeared from. The Devon Wildlife Trust is nearing the end of its three-year project to introduce a pair of beavers into an enclosed wetland area. The pair had a baby, known as a kit, in August 2013, but none of the three is reported missing.

‘The beaver in Britain was, and still is, considered to be an important part of the ecosystem, and was certainly responsible for significant modifications to local and wider environments, through the damming of rivers since the end of the last ice age,’ said Sabin.

It’s always nice to have physicists on your side! This article reminded me that the Scottish beaver trial will be over this spring and the project will either be continued, considered a success with the animals released or considered a failure with the animals removed. (Back to Bavaria?) The Devon trial will also conclude by removing the beavers while the data is analyzed. What a rotten fate for those beavers! Shuffled around to do Britain’s dirty work and then hauled out after everything looks nice.

Well, I’m practically ready to ship OUR beavers to Bavaria after three nights of not seeing them! I know winter is harder for beaver watching but we have been there at three different shifts and seen nothing. They’re obviously there though because the dam is looking worked on every day – in its crazy ‘Lazy S Ranch’ way! Jon sees them in the morning walking the dog before work, but we see nary a whisker at night. The big amusement of last night was a family of 5 young raccoons swimming downstream in a straight line up to the footbridge before they climbed out on the other bank. With the light you could see their little paws under the water, working so hard with their fingers cupped, which was adorable. They almost swam into the beaver lodge, and were clearly sniffing all around it. I wished an annoyed beaver would pop out and tell them to buzz off like they did in this video, but it was not to be. Looking at this again I see the old lodge and realize I made this video a lifetime ago.

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Yesterday I had a surprising response from this donation by Peter at CoinCreativity in NY. He kindly wrote back

I would be very glad to donate a couple of items with a beaver motif for your great cause. Although I am an avid Etsy craft person, my college degree is in Environmental Science and Forestry, so I too know the importance of beavers and causes such as yours. Please forward the address to me and I will send you some great beaver jewelry for your event! Take care. Pete

Thank you so much! And I agree Pete, beavers are dam important!