Ho Ho Ho! It’s boxing day and you know the drill, lazy leftovers and trying out/on our presents. A million years ago I used to be so bummed after christmas that I’d hide away one present just so I could have it to look forward to. But now I’m just really happy I gave things people enjoyed and all the details came together. And I received a present that made me weep because I loved it so much, so I count myself very beaver-blessed. It was made for me by artist Natalie Blake who also did the tiles at Chabot College. How remarkable is that? 
The first beaver I ever saw was from my canoe. (On Big River in mendocino 1992 – a sudden tailslap and a territorial swim-by) It was such a new thing to see I didn’t even know what it was for sure. We had seen many otters, so I might have wondered do river otters ever slap their tails? Exploring by canoe was my favorite thing before beavers became my favorite thing, so this will be treasured.
Our beaver dinner is new year’s day and the ravioli’s are all made and tucked in the freezer. Only beaver cookies left to make. Worth A Dam regulars, Creek Champions from Oakland, Rusty from Napa and this year the brave Caitlin of Mountain House will all be coming to celebrate a new beaver year. I try to invite those who have done amazing things and those who I want to continue doing amazing things. Beaver encouragement dinner is how I think of it.
Meanwhile England is still trying to decide if there is room for beavers at the inn.
England’s wild beaver colony has kits
A female from the first wild beaver colony in England for centuries has given birth to at least two young. New footage shows the kits being helped through the water by their mother. The images taken in Devon by local filmmaker Tom Buckley provide the first evidence of the new arrivals.
The Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) said the slowly expanding population would help to provide an insight into their effect on the surrounding River Otter system in east Devon. The Angling Trust warned that a population increase could have detrimental effects on other wildlife.
Mark Elliott, from the DWT, said: “We are thrilled that the beavers have bred. The baby kits appear fit and healthy … This tells us that the beavers are very much at home in this corner of Devon.”
The two females were found to be pregnant when they were taken in to captivity to be tested for disease. It’s not thought that the other female has yet had her kits.
There is an increasing prospect of a population explosion that could do considerable harm to other wildlife through the uncontrolled damming up of watercourses which can, among other things, prevent fish from reaching their spawning grounds,” he said.
“This irresponsible programme should never have begun and it won’t be long before the substantial sums spent in other European countries in dealing with problems caused by beavers will be required here in the UK.”
But Friends of the Earth campaigner Alasdair Cameron said: “[Beavers] bring huge benefits to the countryside – boosting biodiversity and keeping the rivers clean – we’re delighted that they are back and doing well.”
Wow, the villain from central casting is being really well played by that silly angler. Lord knows he’s never once given an interview about protecting wildlife before but NOW because he believes his fish dinners is threatened, he’s guarding the gate with a musket. Down boy, beavers are actually GOOD NEWS for wildlife AND FISH which you would know if you ever read anything except for the tripe published in the Angler’s bible. In the meantime let’s celebrate that baby beaver and get over yourself.
