If I had to choose a favorite animal it would be the beaver
STACEY COLE Nature Talks Unionleader New HampshireIF I HAD TO PICK a favorite animal, the beaver would find itself heading the list. Oh, I know the placement of dams built by these wondrous creatures can upset folks who have different land-use objectives, but I really enjoy their company.
Now that’s the kind of opening paragraph that makes me sigh, settle back in my chair, pick up the coffee and look forward to a good read. Thanks Stacey (who I read is a 90 year- old man and an award winning writer.) Beavers are your favorite? Gosh, I know just what you mean!
Beaver ponds attract many other animals and, with the exception of river otters, beavers appear quite willing to share their pond with them. I came to that conclusion several years ago when the first pair of beavers constructed a dam. They turned our original half-acre “dug” pond into a nearly two- acre body of water. In time, the enlarged pond attracted many species of birds including wild turkeys, grackles, song sparrows, scarlet tanagers, catbirds and several kinds of warblers. These birds built nests among the various shrubs and small trees that grew around the pond’s edge.
Ahh, what a nice observation! It makes me think of the 2008 research by Hilary Cooke and Steve Zack that beaver chewed trees create ideal nesting habitat for migratory and song birds! Of course, even if a fellow wasn’t a crazy research reader and just sat still and WATCHED his eyes would eventually teach them all about the good they do for the ecosystem. Stacey goes on to say that a friend gave him the article about blue herons nesting in flooded dead trees at beaver ponds, and how much he enjoyed it. Honestly, Stacey is a national treasure. Go read the entire article!
Just one problem with Stacey’s writing as far as I can see
Our beaver pond has always attracted both great blue and green herons. As far as I have observed, there are no fish left of any size.
Um…what do you think those all those birds are doing at your pond if there’s no fish? Come to think of it, why did the old beaver have to chase away the otter in the first place if the otter didn’t have really delicious things to eat? Trust me. There are fish in those ponds.
Also this morning there’s a beaver revisit in the Martinez Patch. Reporter Jim Caroompas wants to know why the beavers are still controversial even after they have not caused problems for 5 years? He says he’s not exactly a fan, but just genuinely wants to know why the beavers are still disliked. Maybe you can go help by posting your thoughts.
This is Martinez, where even aquatic furry critters become lightning rods for politics. But I don’t understand, now that the fears about the beavers bringing floods and doom to downtown have passed, why they are still the target of so much animosity in some. What have they done other than bring us visitors? Created an active creek eco-system that now includes muskrats, turtles, and other denizens? Brought us national publicity?
I can’t imagine whether this is a genuine question. Doesn’t he remember that the beavers attack was waged by some of the most powerful players in the city; wealthy men who still wield massive powers that affect every ‘pocket‘ of Martinez. (And if you’re a local reader, yes that was a pun). Honestly, hasn’t he heard of the applicable Eratosthenes theorem? I thought everyone learned it by heart in grade school.
I believe its latin name is “sorecus loserium.”
