Month: January 2017

Woodland Wilds and Wonders

heidi08 Beavers and Birds, Beavers and climate change, Beavers and Forests, Beavers and Frogs, Beavers and Ice, Beavers and Insects, Beavers and salmon, Beavers and trout, Beavers and water, Beavers elsewhere, Educational, Environmental, Who's saving beavers now? January 31, 2017

I am tempted to tease the headline of this article as winning the prize for the single most consonance B’s ever in a beaver story, or mention that Capybara aren’t from Australia, but it’s a dam good article from a region where we have been short beaver support in the past. And authors don’t always get to pick the titles, and the paper is in Davis of all places. So I’ll politely refrain and just celebrate a wonderful article from our new best friend.

Tuleyome Tales: Big, burly beavers can be a boon

By Mary K. Hanson

Although some people consider them a pest species that causes temporary flooding of areas adjacent area to their home, the ever-active North American beavers (Castor canadensis) have actually been proved over and over again to be a boon to humankind in many ways.

In the past two or three years, projects and studies have been conducted throughout several Western states that conclusively prove that the beavers are actually 80 percent more effective (and less costly) at repairing and improving degraded stream systems than humans. And part of the reason for that is because the beavers instinctively know where the best places are to build their dams and lodges.

Beavers don’t kill the trees they harvest. Rather, they cut the trees down with their sharp incisor teeth to just above ground-level, leaving the root system entirely intact. In wildlife habitat restoration and management done by humans, this exact same process is call “coppicing.” The majority of coppiced trees don’t die; they instead grow new healthier shoots from the severed stump, providing for long-term regrowth and reforestation.

This is part of the reason why beavers are considered to be a “keystone species” in the environment: Their creation of new growth and water pathways and ponds actually increases the biodiversity in the areas in which they live.

What a great start! (Although I’m confused about the ‘past two or three years’ and think it’s been more like 2-3 decade.) But still. The article refers to Ms. Hanson as a ‘certified naturalist’ which I believe must mean that she completed the UCB program that our volunteers Deidre and Leslie did. Where means she studied with beaver guru Brock Dolman, which means she got an and unmitigated earful about the good work that Beavers do for us. Thank goodness. I love the idea of this article being printed in a paper from a region that depredates the second highest number of beavers in the state!

Studies have proved that where beaver dams are allowed to exist naturally, waterfowl and fish populations increase and become healthier and more diverse. In Washington state, for example, studies proved that beavers — which do not eat fish — were a benefit to local trout and salmon populations, increasing smolt production from about 15 individuals per range to 1,170 fish.

A similar effect on waterfowl diversity was seen in Wyoming, where it was shown that waterways where beavers were present resulted in a 75-percent increase in the number and diversity of ducks.

Other benefits afforded by beavers and their construction sites include:

* An increase in the variety of vegetation that enhances bird habitat;

* The removal of toxins from local waterways by filtering out sediments, phosphates and heavy nitrogen concentrations;

* A reduction in soil erosion, which can decrease flood dangers for people in surrounding areas;

* Helping to re-establish and increase riparian habitat, which also aids in the interception of runoff, increasing soil nutrients and providing habitat for a wide variety of plants and trees. Increased plant life has the added benefit of improving air quality as trees and plants naturally remove toxin form the air; and

* Because the dams slow down the flow of water near them they help to recharged spent aquifers (raising the level of water stored underground for use during drought conditions).

Be still my heart! Ms. Hanson is a friend of ours even if we never met! I’m thinking the nonprofit she works with (TULEYOME) might want to come to the beaver festival! They have a shiny new website and obviously have lots to share. I think they’d enjoy themselves at the festival, don’t you?

Who’s Soggy Now?

heidi08 Beavers January 30, 2017

This just in: Beaver build dams! And repair them! Who knew? Apparently not the residents of Canal Street near Lake Theresa in North Carolina.

Linden residents trace swamp issues to beaver dams

LINDEN – Residents on Canal Street have a waterfront view of Lake Teresa, but they’re not happy about water encroaching from the other side of the street. A swamp has formed in what was once a wooded area between Canal Street and a field off Lane Road near Linden.

Bob Hathcock, who lives on the street, is leading a community effort to do something about the swamp, which appears to be caused by beaver dams on a creek that drains into the nearby Cape Fear River. He has contacted county, state and federal officials about the issue.

Two of Hathcock’s neighbors, Ray Mitcham and Jackie Bunnell, used axes and machetes on Monday to create four holes in a 200-foot wide beaver dam downstream from the swamp across from their homes. By the next day, their work had made a difference in a pond the dam has formed.

“It’s gone down at least two feet,” Mitcham said.

The effort caused the swamp near Canal Street to go down slightly the next day, Hathcock said. Mitcham said he thinks there are at least two other dams. “We thought we’d work on the biggest one first,” he said.

Mitcham said the beavers may have to be killed, because they are likely to keep fixing the dam.

Oh no! You must have those rare, rebuilding beavers! That almost ~~never~~ always happens. It’s a good thing NC allows you to shoot them any time you want without a permit! Honestly, I could write them and tell them how to install a flow device and send them a Mike’s DVD, but what’s the point? They’re not going to listen, they’ll just keep watching the lake rise until they get off their butts and hire a trapper and I woke up annoyed this morning.

I think I need to join the Alt Park Service. Who has decided that even though our dear leader has outlawed science and discussion of Climate Change, and might disband the endangered species act next, it’s worth using their skills to resist.

Beaver Blessings

heidi08 Beavers January 29, 2017

You’ll have to forgive the confusion. Apparently the last two posts with the beaver release wreaked havoc on our formatting. I’ve sent them back to their rooms without supper and am going to try today’s post again. Cross your fingers.

Time for a new tradition! I’m going to start sharing only beaver blessings on Sunday, because they are starting to accumulate. And obviously beavers are my religion, so it works out. First we have a very appreciative article about beavers from Devon, Alberta. It’s more of a collection of positive bullet points than an article, but its deserves our attention anyway. The city started when the largest oil reserve was discovered there just before valentine’s day in 1947. The town grew up around it. I guess it’s kind of a surprise to find the local paper running a pro-beaver article. But Martinez is a refinery town, and look what we became?

Beaver dams reduce erosion around Devon

A severe storm with heavy rains struck Devon in late July.The south of Devon received about five cm of rain in a very short period of time, about 15 minutes. Storm pond drains were quickly plugged and ponds developed to a depth of six feet. Heavy downfalls like this tend to runoff as opposed to a lighter rain which will be absorbed into the ground. Significant erosion occurred along ditches and water runways but there were some areas where erosion was minimal. In Devon where there are beaver dams, the erosion is much less severe. Dams will form ponds two metres deep. During the summer water evaporates and seeps out. This allows the subsequent heavy rainfall to be contained filling the pond to overflow levels, keeping water on the land longer, slowing stream flow and reducing erosion.

Excessive sedimentation pollution caused by erosion can cover aquatic plants and wildlife living in natural water bodies or even fill in these areas and destroy adjoining wetlands. Fast growing trees are often short lived and once removed quickly re-establish. When aspen are removed, the following year the area is covered with aspen m>This creates important new habitat for sun-loving wildlife such as robins, cedar waxwings, tanagers, grosbeaks and many other birds. Deer and moose love the fresh young growth provided in the tree cleared sunny areas. They intentionally choose areas where the dam floods the surrounding area and creates a wetland ecosystem. This moist area stimulates marshy plant growth and creates a biodiversity close to that of a tropical rain forest.It has been rated the world’s most valuable ecosystem as almost 50 per cent of Canada and the U.S.’s endangered species rely on wetlands for survival.

Deeper ponds are key over wintering and breeding areas for fish, as the depth keeps water from freezing to the bottom.The wetland provided by beaver ponds and related habitats rival tropical rain forests for biodiversity.Migrating birds use the ponds and surrounding wetlands as rest stops on their long journey south. Almost half of the endangered and threatened species in North America rely upon wetlands.

Beavers are a “Keystone” species in North America. This means that beavers play a crucial role in biodiversity. Innumerable species rely either partly or entirely on beaver ponds, many of them threatened or endangered.Therefore, whenever we can coexist with beavers, we are providing the habitat necessary for supporting many other species, and protecting the web of life upon which we depend. (From Beaver Solutions LLC “Working With Nature”).

You will notice that she credits the beaver solutions website for her source, which Mike would be happy about. Years ago we collaborated on a “What good are beaver?” handout he could give his clients. I’m glad to see it’s still on his website. But it surprises me that as a woman from Alberta she doesn’t source the two wonderful Alberta fonts of knowledge: Dr. Glynnis Hood and Cows and Fish. Always site local sources if you can, I have found them to carry more weight with the audience.
Which reminds me that Worth A Dam offered to pay the airfare for Lorne Fitch of Cows and Fish to get to the Beaver Conference next month so he could present on their great work. Leonard Houston gamely agreed to cover room and meals, so Lorne is going to make the trek and teach us all about working with landholders to use beaver improvements. (And I for one know it will be worth every penny.)

Speaking of pennies, our biggest fund raiser of the year is the silent auction at the beaver festival and I have started begging folks for contributions. I thought I’d share two generous donations that were given to us from New York and Vermont respectively.

Steve Sierigk at Acorn Designs in New York was the one who told me about beavers eating the woodland mushrooms on his farm.

Acorn Designs has been creating eco-friendly paper products as notecards, journals, and stationery since 1981. We remain dedicated to finding the greenest papers available and combine that with the highest quality art and stories to present you with a great product with environmental integrity. All of our products are sourced and manufactured in the US; mostly within very close proximity to our Finger Lakes, NY studio.
He donated journals and notecards with this inspiring design. Take a number if you are planning to bid on this, (preferably a number higher than mine!) This seems like the perfect place to take notes at a beaver conference!

A second generous donation came from artist Suzanne LeGault of GalleryVermont. This is a finished screen, mounted on foam core and ready for framing. The colors are so vibrant in person you will have to see to believe.

“Beaver” is an original 9-color screen print from a limited edition of 33. It is not a digital reproduction. Each print is hand pulled, numbered and signed. If you run your hand across the surface, you will feel the layers of ink.

Screen printing is a stencil technique in which thick ink is forced through porous fabric that has been stretched over a frame. The image is created by applying layer upon layer of ink onto a piece of paper with a squeegee. Each color requires a separate stencil. I use oil based ink and 100% rag paper. The print measures 5″ x 7″ and comes matted. With the mat, it measures 8″ x 10″ so it fits into a standard photo frame making framing very affordable.

Remember, it’s always a good idea if you can’t wait to buy your own that you mention seeing the item first here! There’s one more thing to be grateful for this Sunday so I’m going to leave you with the most adorable beaver photo that I have ever seen. Brace yourselves and make sure you’re sitting down. This one is so cute it physically hurts to look at.

I vote beaverkratt, why wouldn’t everyone?

heidi08 Beavers and Insects, Beavers and salmon, Beavers and trout, Beavers and water January 29, 2017

The morning needs to start with an abject apology. I, the only solely dedicated beaver reporter in the known universe, have failed in my sacred duty to let you know about all things castor. (Hangs head in shame.) I can’t defend the abject failure to report on something so important. This was the final episode of the first season in 2011! More years ago than I can accurately count on one hand.

That was just about the time that Jari Osborn’s documentary production for Canada (The beaver Whisperers) was wrapping up, so I suppose someone may have seen something? Some how this children’s program entirely escaped this child psychologist’s attention. Until now, when I saw an article discussing an upcoming event. Obviously over years of festivals kids must have mentioned it and I just assumed they were talking about the documentary or something else.

The series follows the ‘Kratt’ brothers exploring animal powers and appreciating the natural world. My pernicious failure is tempered by my abundant joy at the accurate portrayal of beaver works and why they matter. There isn’t one single thing I would change about this. Do you know how rare that is? It even has a troublesome otter that is not at all endearing for a change. I can’t even claim they were informed by Jari’s awesome PBS documentary, since it aired before it. Please watch all the way through, and share with everyone you know. I wish we could play this at the beaver festival. It’s that good.

Mysterious Beaver Delicacies

heidi08 Beaver Behavior January 25, 2017

Yesterday was my first full beaver-begging day, inviting folks to donate to the silent auction at our 10th festival. There were lots of things I was eager to ask for, although asking is always a worrisome chore. It helps for me to remember a story I heard from Jon’s sister, who is a nun, and the head of a large successful school in England, but I’ll save that for another day. First, we have wonders to wonder at.

I received a lot of very gracious responses and will do my formal plugs and promotions soon, but one man I spoke too said he loved beavers and had some building dams on his farm. I said that was admirable and he could let us know if he had troubles with them so we could connect him with answers. He said that he ran a small woodland mushroom business and they sometimes interfered by eating his mushrooms but he wrapped trees and made piece with them.

Which naturally had me exclaiming: Beavers eat MUSHROOMS?It used to be quite common that I would learn something new about beavers and spend the afternoon researching it. It rarely happens anymore, so this is a treat. And of course I’ve met many people who thought beavers were doing things they weren’t actually doing. But this is what I was able to find on a NPS for kids website.

What do they eat?

Beavers eat the bark, buds, stems, and twigs of trees: aspen, maple, willow, birch, black

alder, and black cherry trees. They really like soft plant foods, too:

grasses, mushrooms,leaves, ferns and the roots of water plants are some favorite snacks. Because a beaver’s front teeth grow all the time, a beaver must constantly chew on wood to trim the teeth down.

Now I’ve heard about leaves and roots, and seen photos of them taking bracken from our Scottish friends. I knew about acorns and strawberries, but I NEVER guessed about mushrooms! Are beavers hobbits? I guess it kind of makes sense, mushrooms like to grow in damp areas and beavers MAKE damp areas. But if it’s true do beavers ever eat the wrong mushrooms by mistake? Do all beavers eat mushrooms or is it an acquired taste? Do parents teach kits which mushrooms to avoid?

Inquiring minds want to know.