The morning I left for Portland I received word from Linda Meza that Moses Silva had filmed the beavers mating the night before. After careful consideration he agreed to share it with us, and so you have a 9 year first: Footage of our own beavers making a new generation. Since beaver gestation is 107 days, we should be expecting kits in early September, which means we’ll likely first see them in October. That’s starting a family late for beavers, but our beavers did a lot of adjusting this year and they’re late to the party.
As near as we can tell we are seeing the same mom and a new, smaller Dad. We think our original Dad died in the interim. Maybe of old age as he would have been pushing 15. This newly eager beau apparently wanted to make sure his efforts did the trick, because he tried it again soon after.
Now THAT’s what I call an ‘eager beaver’!
It’s hard to believe we’re getting kits again. I had braced myself for the bleak future of a life without beavers, and now everything has to be reconsidered. We’re still unsure why our kits died, and unsure whether conditions are safe again. At least we won’t need to worry about them this fourth of July, because their late birthday will protect them from fireworks. In fact, there may be rain by the time they’re born, so no late summer salty high tides. Fingers crossed!
We had a very positive beaver festival planning meeting yesterday. We had unprecedented levels of helpers, with passionate beaver-defenders from a Auburn, Mountain House, Alameda and Napa! (A 200 mile radius of beaver defense!) In addition to our stalwart regulars agreeing to continue their wonderful work, Leslie bravely volunteered to co-coordinate the auction, Susan agreed to help with the tent painting, and Jeanette took on Membership and is going to use a roulette wheel to generate interest!
I must say this every year, but I really think it’s going to be the best festival ever!
Now it’s time for some wonderful news from the Beaver State, where they’re worried vandals might ruin their beloved beaver dams. No, seriously.
Eugene officials: Please let beaver dams be at Delta Ponds
At the ponds in north Eugene last month, Holts encountered two young men pulling sticks from a beaver dam near an old boat ramp off Goodpasture Island Road. About a week later, a visitor to the same portion of the 150-acre waterway area came across two young men with fishing poles taking apart a beaver dam.
Removing beaver dams harms habitat for beavers and other animals, she said
“Beavers are playing an important role in our waterways and can do good things,” city ecologist Lauri Holts said. Busy beavers work hard to build dams, which create better homes for fish, birds and turtles. So, please, do not dismantle the dams, Eugene officials say.
If they had taken that (dam) out it would have drained this whole pond and (left) turtles and fish exposed,” Holts said during a recent visit to the ponds.
In response, Eugene Parks and Open Space this week posted a message on Facebook: “Beavers are loving Delta Ponds. Unfortunately we’ve had a bit of vandalism of these dams they work their tails off to create. If you’re in the area please keep an eye out.”
Now that’s refreshing. People protecting beaver dams for a change. Can’t you just imagine the city of Martinez putting up signs to protect the beaver dams?
Heh Heh.
