20 trees have been laid as I write this, and the finishing touches have been applied to the wire mesh defenses on each. Troop 405 scouts and supporters showed up today to help Mitchell with his eagle-aims, and Worth A Dam came along to photograph and pay the piper. City staff helped place and transport the trees.
Worth A Dam treasurer, Jon Ridler, who has been a “man friday” for every possible beaver burden, took the day off work at the power plant to labor in the fields.He joined some hardworking scouts and the full job was completed by 2:00 pm.
I started out the day making friends and talking about beavers at Wild Birds Unlimited in Pleasant Hill. There were more bodies than I expected, and many had never seen the beavers before. As the talk finished, a savvy couple at the back commented that they had been to several of these trainings and this was easily the “Best one they attended”. That put a feather in our already birdy cap and cheered me greatly.
My article will appear in the next issue of the MDAS Audubon newsletter, (further cementing the bird-beaver connection) and I’m sure you’ll hear about it. Knock Knock Knock, at the door as I write this is Chuck the winner of our baby pool contest who picked up his t-shirt and took it proudly away. Thanks Troop 405 and Mitchell Maisel for an important job efficiently done.
Tomorrow REI’s Get Outside and Play summerfest event in Concord. Beaver people are busy people.
Photos: Cheryl Reynolds
Trees: Jeff Anhorn Nursery. Livermore