Anyone who’s ridden the London underground or British rail will recognize this reminder to use caution in stepping onto the train. The famous female voice of Emma Clarke warns travelers all across the countryside to pay attention as they step from the platform into the railcar. Although she was ultimately fired for maintaining a blog of the same name, the phrase persists.
It takes on a whole new meaning when applied to our beaver dam…
“The Gap” at the primary dam is the narrow depression to the east of the pipe over which animals pass to get from one side to the other. Beavers, muskrat, otter, geese and even ducklings use the space to haul themselves up and over the dam. It is very heavily trafficked and in fact you see everyone approach with the same caution we might use to cross a busy street or approach a blind intersection. Because of the height differential of the waters there is no way to tell what might be coming from the other side until you’ve moved into position. Even Mama beaver stops, listens and probably scents the air before she makes her lumbering climb up and over.
It’s not exactly a toll road, but if we could track for just one day the number of webbed or furry feet that cross that gap, I think we would be would be very surprised. Residents and passers-by use the same route, and its a great place to train your eyes to see the most possible wildlife. If you’re at the dam this Memorial weekend, check it out and remember to “Mind the Gap”.
[youtube:http://youtube.com/watch?v=b0XvagaqORI]
