Beavering 17th and 18th March

This time of year is when I do most of the ground work for my tours, locating the beavers and taking a wee count of them. It's not easy and can be more than a bit frustrating to say the least but it's a job that I enjoy as I get the river to myself. However, with the light at nights just slightly lengthening it's almost a bit of a tease. Last night and this evening were exactly that, teasing, on more than one level.

So, the 17th to start with, cold east wind blowing through which for some reason or another, isn't always great for watching nature. All the birds were very low-key with only the resident blackbirds clucking away, not even a goosander on the river. As I sat in my usual spot watching a few burrows, it became evident that things were going to be short-lived this evening as the light was fading fast and a wee haar was spreading over the river. However, if my beasties are one thing, they are generally regular and sure enough this adult emerged from a burrow at 1828. I think it was mum but impossible to be 100%.

I tracked "her" down the river a wee bit and managed to get in front of the animal into a decent location that would offer up better photo opportunities. As I hunkered down behind a tree, I watched the beaver in "patrol mode" floating down towards me. I had no sooner got my camera ready to snap away when there was this huge splash only feet away just to my right, it was another beaver!!! Needless to say the warning was enough to ensure the adult that I was tracking made a very gainly and silent dive into the depths never to be seen again that evening, grrrr!

The 18th was just as frustrating and I could actually kick myself at my own impatience. I know my family of beavers and their habits quite well and I should trust my own instincts more, however, this evening I let said impatience get the better of me. I was late getting to the river, certainly later than I wanted to be. I like to get settled in position a good 30-45 mins before the beavers generally surface. This avoids me missing them if they are out earlier but more importantly, it means I'm in position and not moving so as not to disturb them and cause them any stress. So, in position I sat and waited until 1840 without any movement from any of the burrows. So, stupidly I must add, I went down the riverbank a wee bit.......nothing. As I returned back to my original spot, there she was in the middle of the river. Of course, I was caught bonny, standing above the horizon and moving......disaster, down she went and that was that! The time when I spotted her was 1844.

Note to self, "trust your instincts"!!!!

Ending on a plus note, the evensong from the birds was something else, lovely. I'm really looking forward to the warblers returning and adding their beautiful chorus, absolutely charming and soul-soothing, there is nothing better :-)