Out For A Swim

Are the beavers okay?

heidi08 Beavers November 1, 2008

MM writes that she is confused by the headlines quoting Ross saying “as far as we know the beavers are fine” and our web page showing mom’s eye injury saying the family hasn’t been all seen since October 23rd. What’s the real story? (Speaking of stories, read that article all the way through. They definately were interested in our photograph.)

The story is that the four kits are seen every night but the adults are more elusive. Someone saw a big beaver Thursday night, and I saw a yearling Wednesday. I heard today from two beaver supporters that Steve said he saw mom last night around 3:00 in the morning. She was carrying a large branch to the lodge, and he clearly saw the notch in her tail. He hadn’t heard about the eye injury so he wasn’t able to update on that.

Apparently there are rumors that the beavers built a lodge down at the footbridge. This is not true. They are sleeping in the lodge on the west bank, across from the old lodge and seen swimming in and out every day. Stop by and see the new mud on the old lodge. Apparently the beavers aren’t planning on relocating any time soon.

News of the day

heidi08 City Reports October 28, 2008

There were several developments today on beaver watch. First, a large beaver (probably a yearling) emerged twice during the work, downstream of the dam with a crabby tail slap when the pile driving resumed. Hopefully he went to sleep somewhere else.

Second, Skip Lisle is back through tomorrow, and was on site for the work. There are approximately three sheets remaining to install.

Third: tonight Jon met a very enthusiastic beaver supporter at the bridge who oohed and ahhed about the four kits. Why is this news you can use? She was Bradly Jackson’s wife. Worth A Dam has had consistently good contact with Jackson, and we support his replacement of Janet Kennedy on the council. Last night let’s just say we got the definite impression that things will be uncomfortable in the Jackson home if he doesn’t do right by the beavers.

Frogard Butler, the woman who is chronicling our beavers with painting, spent the day on the bridge sketching the old lodge site. We are happy for her support, and for the other faithfuls on the bridge who keep an eye out.

Friday Feats

heidi08 Beaver News, City Reports October 25, 2008

Today the long awaited turn east was successfully added to the piling wall. Supporters watched anxiously as the line of sheet pile headed closer to the dam. Then after lunch a piece was placed perpendicular to the line and followed by a second. After all the hard work of digging out rocks they pierced the soil easily, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Things grew somber when one of our friendliest workers was injured today after he cut his finger on an old sharp fence post in the dug out area. He went to the hospital for treatment and hopefully will be getting the mother of all tetnus shots and not too many stitches. The rest of the day passed without incident, although rumor has it that the election building is rattling too hard to safely house our new expensive voter equipment, and there were several truck trips today to haul it away.

If the remaining sheets go in like the first one in this last section, they could be done driving on Monday or Tuesday. There are still miles of gravel and concrete to pour behind the area, but the most impactful work will be completed. The need to extend out from the wall resulted in a 15×15 box at the end of Bertola’s property. I wonder what that space will be used for? It’s hot tub shaped. Since the taxpayers bought it I’m thinkin’ maybe public bath?

Funnest news of the day. Guess what’s atop that old mangled lodge that they drove steel through and shoveled out? New mud. The beavers have started repairs already.

Update: Wall Migrates West

heidi08 Uncategorized October 22, 2008

These photos from todays work show the increasing distance between the concrete wall and the sheetpile. This has been explained as necessary to allow the hammer to turn, but there were repeated “concrete” shudders today that seemed to guide the work further into the creek. No delivery of sheetpile came yesterday and they have been moving quickly through this next phase. Without Skip on hand to caution them, they snapped down a few branches from the willow over the lodge, and were observed walking on it at one point. The big boss is on sight today with plans and charts and everyone is working faster and tenser.

No site of mom this morning, but the beavers are piling willow onto one of the lower baffles, starting a formal dam across what was left. Two passers by told us they had seen our beaver election video on the news: one on yahoo local and one on channel 2.

Crane Migrates North

heidi08 City Reports, Uncategorized October 22, 2008

Three updates and yesterday’s rundown. Two are worriesome. Yesterday SKip Lisle told us he is off to Vermont today, and he confirmed that last night. There will be officially be no oversight that can communicate with the workers on the project. Worse, Mom was observed by at least two people last night to have an eye injury/condition that has created a swollen ring around her eye, leaving the pupil barely visible. We will try to get a better look/photo and a vet consult to see if anything should be done.

Yesterday the Crane came to the end of its useful reach on Escobar, so was moved along. We had hoped (and been assured) that it was going to rest on the street and not (as rumored) on the grass directly behind the new lodge. As in nearly all things we were dissappointed. The Crane was laboriously fitted about 15 feet from the lodge, where it will rest for several days as the continue installation.

Even with this dolby-stereo vibration (the pilings in front and the motor behind) our beavers stayed hunkered, thank goodness. Sharp eyes on the bridges spotted only turtles and rats in the water, and this was a relief.

One bit of excitement during the day came when the peering property owner and crew sent down a camera to document the corner of his property which where the concrete was exposed. Skip was asked to get in the water and look for holes, which he did, and did not find. Everyone was snapping pictures of the space where a footing was apparently not present, although they had authoritatively told us that there was none to begin with. Funny how much time it takes to verify the absence of something you are certain isn’t there.

Skip expressed concern that there was greater impatience on the part of the crew that the work was taking so long. Everyone is well aware that this is not going to be the four day job advertised. We did have lots of positive contact with the crew today, one asked how to get a tee shirt and another went for a turtle tour with Cheryl. If nothing else, we have raised their curiosity.

Last night Igor Skaredoff and I presented on “beavers and watershed” for the Master Gardeners association in Pleasant Hill. It was a packed, cheerful, and organically intelligent group. Everyone appreciated Igor’s run down of the geology behind the waterways, and of course our furry heroes were a big hit.