Leaders: Dave Ward and Andy Rhodes Coordinator and reporter: Alan Hughes Like all the best adventures, this one had a quiet start. On this perfect summer’s evening, Dave Ward, the Warden of the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor reserve took our group of 14 into the beaver enclosure and told us about the origins of their group (2 adults, 2 yearlings and 2 kits born this year) and of their benefits to the environment. His main purpose was to ensure that we could all be as quiet as possible once we moved into the heart of the enclosure as, he explained, beavers have excellent hearing (as well as a good sense of smell, although poor eyesight). We were able to see one of their dams there, threatening to block a drain. We then walked around the back of the wetland scrapes, and had good views of Green Sandpiper, Great White Egret, 2 Little Egrets and a Kingfisher.
Examining the channel behind us, a few of us saw a large square head emerging from the surface of the water – an adult beaver! – and then it dived and was seen only briefly again further along the waterway. We then doubled back along the same channel, travelling further this time, and waited quietly at a site where Dave clearly hoped would be productive – and it was! First some quiet splashing, then a swim along in front of us, and then great views plus chomping sounds as this younger beaver sat under the trunk of a collapsed tree having his supper – a tree branch. We were able to watch this one for 20-30 minutes before it swam off. We then headed back towards the visitor centre, feeling very satisfied, pausing along the way to check the Barn Owl shelter for occupants – not visible to the naked eye, but Howard’s “night vision” thermal imaging monocular revealed an owl sitting in the darkness at the back of the shelter. This visit was a real thrill – a privilege to actually see these “Eco-Engineers” that we have all heard so much about. I am extremely grateful to Dave Ward of the HOT, and Andy Rhodes, a volunteer there who helped lead our walk.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Please feel free to read through our reports from our monthly outdoor meetings. Archives
September 2024
Categories |