Month: March 2018

BEAVERS THAT LIVE LIKE KINGS

heidi08 Beavers and Scotland March 6, 2018

Allan Water’s wide and deep,
And my dear Annie’s very bonnie.

Just imagine if you were the first beavers back in Scotland. Everywhere you travel is new territory to be discovered and apart for some otters and anglers you needn’t share with anyone else. No competition for food or resources, no territories to defend. Just miles and miles of curving streams for you to uncover at your own pace.

That’s what it must be like for the lucky beavers who avoid the angry farmer’s shotguns and get to explore in Scotland, a huge empty department store where they can roam freely at night like a flat-tailed Corduroy.. It is easy to see how they were able to travel some 70 miles from the River Tay to the River Allan to the river Teith to the river Fourth and finally Stirling.

Stirling fishermen claim beavers have returned to the River Forth

Stirling fishermen believe that beavers have returned to the Forth and its tributaries, the Teith and Allan Water. Tree stumps which appear to have been gnawed have been seen on the banks of the Allan Water near Cornton in recent weeks.

According to accounts of the time the animals had been common in parts of the country, particularly around the Loch Ness area.

Seventy-year-old Stirling salmon angler John Hunter, who has been fishing on the Forth since he was aged 10, said this week he has seen evidence of the animals on the Allan Water near Cornton.

He said: “I’m usually on the Forth every day fishing near Cruive Dykes. I first noticed fallen trees a few weeks ago and the stumps. There had been rumours circulating among fishermen about beavers in the area for quite a while, but this is the first time I have seen evidence with my own eyes. I’ve heard from fishermen there are beavers on the Forth and Teith further west.

Now of course we’ve all heard claims of “it’s a beaver!” only to find out it was actually a muskrat or broomstick so I was, of course, skeptical. Until I saw this and realized he was probably right. Beavers in Stirling. Beavers on the march. Ready or not, here beavers come.

“You can see that the trees have fallen after having been gnawed away. I’ve not seen a beaver yet, but this looks very much like the work of beavers to me. It would be great if they are there. They were driven to extinction by man after all. It’s great to think they are back in our rivers and close to Stirling.”

Stirling Observer nature correspondent Keith Graham said: “I would imagine that there are beavers on the Forth. I have heard they are on the Teith and I wouldn’t be surprised to find them in other tributaries of the Forth as well.

“There is a big debate on whether they are beneficial or not. The farming community tends to think that they cause too much damage – they can flood fields when they build their dams. However, overall I think they do good.”

Spoken like a wise man! You are right, beavers will do good for all your fourths and fens. I’m envious really, of both the beavers who get to explore your beautiful countryside, and the people who get to discover them.

Looking at the ancient lyrics about Allan Waters being deep and wide, it’s not hard to see how it evolved into this tune eventually. I would wish these beavers luck, but of course they are hardy souls who make their own wherever they go.

AND THE NOMINATION GOES TO….STONEWALLING!

heidi08 Beavers and salmon March 5, 2018

Just a few days ago I wrote about it being the end of February which was the deadline for Wildlife Services to submit their preliminary report on whether killing beavers harmed salmon. If they agreed there were questions it would submit to undertake a formal assessment on the matter. I’ll let Ben Goldfarb‘s article say it better:

Wildlife Services consented to submit a biological assessment to the National Marine Fisheries Service by Feb. 28. If both agencies agree that killing beavers is likely to harm protected fish, they’ll undergo a formal consultation that could end with a biological opinion, a document specifying measures for reducing damage to salmon habitat.

To no one’s surprise, February 28 came and went with no report from Wildlife Services. Meaning they decided not to decide. And for the time remain in beaver-killing limbo. Obviously there were no ‘right answers’ to the question they wanted to hear. Kind of like when you father asks you at midnight if you know exactly what time your curfew is, young lady.

I suppose that means that their temporary hiatus on beaver killing will be extended? It’s a big world, they can always just focus on killing other things until they think the coast is clear. Or until we stop paying attention.

Now it’s up to the Center for Bioligical Diversity and the Western Environmental Law Center to force the issue. Which I assume they’re working on at the moment. The original letter of 60-day notice of intent to sue was served on November 2, which means with holidays and court calendar the deadline ran out some time in the last month.. Wildlife services sidestepped the deadline by saying they’d issue a report at the end of February and they instead chose to do nothing.

The next move to make is for the good guys to say TIME’S UP! We waited long enough for your input and now you just have to follow ours. Or let the judge tell you what to do. Maybe step in and impose some kind of fine or sanction for their failure to act and that will require them financially to move forward.

As recently as December 2016, NMFS articulated the importance of beavers to survival and recovery of the Oregon Coast coho in its Recovery Plan for the species (NMFS 2016a). Noting that beaver removal has degraded coho salmon habitat, these federal fish experts also point out that restoring beavers and their dams has proven effective at increasing salmon populations (NMFS 2016a, pp. 3-8, 3-28). In its plan, NMFS explicitly called for changes in“beaver management to allow beavers to build more dams in Oregon Coast coho rearing habitat”(NMFS 2016a, p. 4-16).

Given all the positive benefits of beavers to ecosystem health, it is not surprising that researchers have documented that removal of beavers harms salmonids, including populations listed under the ESA5 For example, Pollock et al. (2004),in a study of the Stillaguamish River Basin of Washington, found that the greatest reduction in coho smolt production capacity was associated with the extensive loss of beaver ponds. Removing beavers means fewer dams because of less dam-building and less maintenan ce of existing dams by beavers. In coastal Oregon rivers, beaver dams in small streams often wash out during high winter flows and beavers rebuild them the following summer (ODFW 2005).

If you look at the letter it all seems a pretty open a shut argument if you ask me, Little bit part players like us can just sit back and watch and wait what happens.

For the above stated reasons, APHIS-Wildlife Services has violated and remains in ongoing violation of Section 7 of the ESA. If these violations of law are not cured within sixty days, the Center for Biological Diversity and No rthwest Environmental Advocates intend to file suit for declaratory and injunctive relief, as wellas attorney fees and costs.

LOCAL BEAVERS MAKE GOOD!

heidi08 Beaver Art March 4, 2018

March has brought us the strangest liony-lamby weather, boldly defying either label. It is brilliant sunshine one moment that makes you squint in every direction and then dark blasting rain the next that sounds so heavy we keep looking for the hail and see only fat pounding drops on the pavement.

Since its beginning defied all description I’m sure it’s end will be equally bizarre. But yesterday there were enough sunny moments to visit the little beaver dam near our house and snap this,

Apparently this little dam is built to last. Being after a river curve it gets less direct water force directed at it. And since it cleverly incorporates that long fallen tree, it has a base to rely on. The interesting part is that it was about originally 5 feet downstream and someone cut that tree (not a beaver) and tossed it into the creek. After their dam was destroyed in the fall they thought, hey! Let’s just move up 5 feet and use that windfall!

Lemonade out of lemons.

This is why beavers are going to outlive us all. A-D-A-P-T is their middle name!

We met a woman on the bridge who said she had actually SEEN a beaver there three mornings ago, before dawn. This is the first sighting I’ve heard about and am very happy to know. That little dam will need lots of new mud soon, maybe we’ll have to pay them a visit to watch the repairs,

Megan Murrell is a talented artist in Minneapolis Minnesota who creates beautiful water color images from her observations of nature. She was happy to donate this little beaver to our auction, and said he was one of her favorites. Megan uses watercolors and gouache paints to get this unique work. When you see this in person you will understand why.

Megan was one of the gracious donors who actually thanked ME for asking her to contribute! Honestly I wish she lived closer, because I know she’d make lots of friends at the festival.

Hello Heidi!

Reading your story is bringing me so much joy. This is honestly the driving force behind my work so I am SO pleased that you reached out to me. Creating artwork is such a joy, but it is even greater when my artwork makes a difference in terms of conservation.

I would LOVE to donate a framed and matted beaver print. I have one ready to go as I type this out. Would you be interested in a few more smaller wildlife pieces? Look over my listings and let you know. If I sent any other wildlife pieces I would send them to you matted and packaged in cellophane.

Honestly, you never know what the response will be when you ask for a donation. But I never even dreamed of this one. I can’t imagine what it’s like to see the world through a lens of so much talent and kindness.

The next time you are looking for an exceptional gift for that nature-loving friend, you must visit her shop and thank her. Go browse her shop and see what a treat her talent is to behold.

“BEAVER LIVES MATTER”

heidi08 Who's Killing Beavers Now? March 3, 2018

I weep for you,’ the Walrus said:

I deeply sympathize.’

With sobs and tears he sorted out

Those of the largest size,

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I mean just because there are more bright spots on the beaver horizon I don’t want you to think we’re in the sunshine yet. Lots of beaver trapping goes on in every state. Each morning I wade through piles of articles about beavers who need trapping. I only pick a select few to write about because they are special.

Especially bad. Or Especially good.

Four beavers lethally trapped in Mombasha Park

MONROE — After the Monroe Town Board voted to call upon a licensed outdoorsman to manage damage done by beavers at Mombasha Park, four beavers were lethally trapped this week. According to Town of Monroe Supervisor Tony Cardone, beavers had cut down more than 100 trees, creating a potential erosion issue, which would compromise the stability of the baseball outfield at the park.

When the beavers cut down the trees, they also create punji sticks, which are stumps formed in the shape of a sharpened pencil top. Cardone said the sharpened stumps create a potential safety hazard for people who wander off the walking trail through the park.

“Right now, he (Corrado) feels that (four) is a good number to manage them,” Cardone said. “He thought there was anywhere between eight and 12 beavers in the lodge. So he pulled all his traps out and he’s just going to visually observe the area on an ongoing basis. He is allowed to trap through April 7 if the need arises.”

Ahh David. Punji sticks notwithstanding, your great ecological concern for the well-being of this family brings tears to my eyes. Just killing off half the family members! How thoughtful. Here’s a thought, but when you come for my family can I pick which four?

But the plan has received backlash from a number of Monroe residents. Longtime Monroe resident Sharon Scheer started an online petition called “BEAVERS LIVES MATTER!,” which as of Thursday, had more than 470 signatures The petition suggests that the damage from the beavers is not severe enough to warrant killing four beavers.

“Can we not try to live alongside of wildlife?” the petition reads. “Must we eradicate 1 entire family a den! (4) in such cruel methods? Can’t we work with them and start a new trend to soften our approach on wildlife?”

In an email sent to The Photo News, Scheer said that “the chewing of trees will still continue and the killing of beavers will continue in a vicious cycle.” A far more practical and humane response is to deter the beavers from chewing the trees, she said.

In her petition, Scheer suggests three non-lethal ways to deal with the situation, including an acrylic paint mix with commercial grade sand painted on base of trees as a deterrent, metal meshing surrounding trees at their base and planting beaver-friendly trees and bushes.

“My point is tread lightly; they are genius engineers and vital part of ecosystem,” Scheer said in the petition.

Sharon Sheer, you may not know it yet, but you just made friends for life in Northern California. I’m thinking we need to sit somewhere and share a beer. You obviously saved half this beaver family, by putting pressure on the council to act like they were just ‘managing’ the population not killing all the beavers. If the world had TWICE as many of you beavers would be much better off.

Here’s how it plays out in Calgary..

When Calgary Has Beaver Problems, This is Who They Call

Local trapper Bill Abercrombie has been trapping in Alberta for nearly 50 years. His company is regularly hired by the city to remove beavers where they are causing problems.

“They cut down all the trees, they will dam up water courses and flood areas, quite often they’ll do things like move into the sewer system,” says Abercrombie. “If we’re going to have beavers coexisting with us, we actually have to take responsibility to [manage these issues] humanely and respectfully.”

Abercrombie says trapping discretely in such close proximity to people is the most challenging part of working in the city. Beavers can also become aggressive when caught on land and their long teeth can inflict serious wounds. Abercrombie says everyone on his crew has had a close call with a beaver and he advises Calgarians to keep a close eye on their four-legged companions at the city’s riverbanks. “If a dog is in the wrong place at the wrong time, he’s going to get it,” says Abercrombie. “Beavers are big; they’re strong. There’s no dog that’s a match for a beaver.

Is there a voice of reason in the city? Someone who sees can ‘see the beavers for the trees?’

City of Calgary Parks Ecologist Tanya Hope says while beavers can cause conflict, they also benefit Calgary’s urban ecosystems. Their dams create pond habitat for other species and even reduce the impact of small flood events. “Outside of humans they’re the only other animals that can change the way their landscape works,” says Hope. “We definitely want to have them here.”

To reduce deforestation and flooding Hope wraps protective wire around tree trunks and installs pond-levelling pipes through beaver dams. But the beavers help by eliminating non-native species, as well. “By carefully selecting which trees we leave unwired the beavers can actually increase the health of our forests,” says Hope.

When such strategies fail, however, the city turns to Abercrombie. He and his team remove the rodents using lethal traps placed underwater to ensure beavers are the only animals targeted. According to Abercrombie, his company traps about 50 beavers a year in Calgary.

Alright. At least someone knows that beavers have value and tries to protect the trees in other ways. I guess beavers aren’t without hope. But honestly, if you know that beavers matter, you should know how to protect trees and you should do it right.

It’s not rocket science.

IT’S OFFICIAL. NOW I’VE SEEN EVERYTHING!

heidi08 Beavers and Scotland, Beavers and trout March 2, 2018

Yesterday two unexpected beaver news stories came my way talking about two things I thought would never, never happen. The first describes the unexpected new flow devices they’re installing in Scotland and the second is a blog from Virginia talking about the importance of… (wait for it)...beaver dams!

New ‘flow devices’ to be installed at loch in bid to outwit cunning beavers

FLOW devices known as “beaver deceivers” are to be installed in a Scottish loch as part of an ongoing battle of wits with a family of the cunning creatures. Beavers have been determined to dam outflows from the Loch of Kinnordy in Angus, preventing water from escaping via burns and causing flooding in the surrounding farmland and paths.

Until now, efforts to demolish the dams have failed as the resident animals simply rebuild them.RSPB Scotland, which manages the loch as a nature reserve, will now fit two so-called beaver deceivers in a bid to regain control of the water level from the growing beaver family.

Rather than destroying the dam, the deceivers create a leak which the beavers find difficult to detect and repair.

The project is being run by RSPB Scotland in partnership with owners Kinnordy Estate, with support from Scottish Natural Heritage and local communities. Uwe Stoneman, RSPB Scotland’s Tayside reserves manager, said: “Having beavers back in Scotland is tremendous and Kinnordy is an excellent home for them. Beavers are clever land and water managers.

Whooohooo beaver progress! Years ago the powers that be were SO opposed to beavers and changes in streams that they outlawed flow devices and I was asked to even conceal the name of the fellow that had been trained to install them! Now the cats outta the bag an flow devices are in the news. Just as normal as refrigerators or bicycle pumps. I can’t tell you how happy I am about that. When people understand how they can live with beavers they are more open to hearing about why.

Which brings us to our second article of the day, no less unexpected. It’s from the Virginia Tech Ichtheology class and it’s listing 10 ways to restore streams that help fish. Of course the shocking one had to be low down on the list. Check out number 9.

Virginia Tech Ichthyology Class

Ten Things You Must Know about Stream Restoration, by Don Orth

In a world dominated by humans, managing fisheries must include restoring modified aquatic ecosystems and habitats. Numerous approaches exist to achieve ecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, flood control, property protection, sediment management, water quality improvement, and aesthetic or recreational benefits (Wheaton et al. 2008). Although many riverine specialists are involved in this work, we all must play a role in educating citizens on the basics of stream and riverine restoration. In this essay, I summarize the ten things you and others must know to be effective stewards of streams and watersheds.

Don Orth is a professor in the Conservation Biology school of Virginia Tech. In fact, he’s the ‘Thomas Jones Professor’ which means his position is endowed by a former alumni who especially valued the field of fish. He works on ongoing research with his students and fish and wildlife to understand what benefits them fishes.

His list of things one does to improve streams includes all the usual things you would suspect. But what do you suppose made number 9 on his list?

In Oregon’s Bridge Creek Watershed, researchers built a number of beaver dam analogs to encourage increased beaver activity and restore healthy river habitat. Photo by Nick Weber.

9. Stream restoration may require beaver restoration.

Beavers dominated the waterscapes of North America before European colonists arrived. Stream restoration practitioners are using the beaver in many situations to restore riparian and wetland ecosystems that support declining populations of Pacific salmon and trout (Pollock et al. 2015). Although there are many human and beaver conflicts in our human-dominated landscapes, the use of beavers as partners along with human stakeholder involvement can provide numerous benefits to the landowners.

Ahhh the joyful refrain of beaver appreciation in the morning! Thank goodness for those ichthyologists, them are some of our proselytizers. And everybody believes them because everybody wants the fish.

Hurray for Dr, Orth!