Beaver Diaries August 2024

Water levels in the Sculthorpe Moor beaver enclosure have dropped further this August. While some marshy areas remain, wellies are still essential. Poplar Wood has dried significantly, leaving only a narrow channel of water. The drying area around Dragonfly Gate has allowed both us and the volunteers to resume using Gate One and the regular path, avoiding the Wetland Hide detour.

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec-Jan

Sculthorpe’s New Beaver Kit

Our first visit of the month involved collecting all six SD cards from the trail cameras. A quick review revealed the beavers actively exploring the watercourses. One camera captured excellent footage of a new kit feeding on the bank near Dam six.

The reserve was full of activity. Dragonflies and damselflies darted about, while red kites and buzzards soared above. We also found fresh beaver evidence—haul-outs, trails, and footprints—led to a patch of irises where they’ve been feeding.

We temporarily removed the feeding platform from the drain for stability tweaks before reintroducing it later this year.

Despite overcast skies and the threat of rain, we stayed into the evening, hoping to spot this year’s kits. With water levels dropping, we were curious to see how they were adjusting. Clear channels of green weed in the Oak Fen Drain confirmed the beavers are still using the main lodge.

Carol spotted a yearling swimming near the lodge, followed by a kit. As darkness fell, an adult appeared in the Poplar Wood channel near Dam 6. After a dramatic tail splash, it climbed over the dam and headed into Dragonfly Meadow, likely to feed on flag irises.

13th August

We entered through Gate One this week and found the track to Gate Two much drier. However, water levels in the IDB drain remained high due to the beavers’ persistent sluice-blocking, now requiring daily clearing by the wardens. Trails and runways crisscrossed the meadow, showing beaver activity spreading from the drain.

Volunteers reported activity near the plantation wood by the old footbridge. We repositioned sluice cameras to monitor the area. Retrieving footage from all six trail cameras was easier this week, as lower water levels improved access.

The videos showed increased beaver activity around Dragonfly Meadow and the IDB drain. There were clear feeding signs, including footage of at least one new kit and healthy older beavers. Plus our first clear views of the otters that keep tripping the camera traps. Given the sluice activity, we set a camera to monitor how many beavers were involved in blocking it.

The day was warm and still, unlike last week’s overcast weather. We stayed into the evening and, within 30 minutes, spotted a beaver near the main lodge. Around Dam 1 and Dam 6, yearlings moved toward Dragonfly Meadow, one feeding on flag irises—a favourite.

Near the sluice by Gate Two, two beavers gathered branches and foliage, seemingly building a dam along the iron grid of the sluice. Their engineering instincts remain impressive.

The beavers’ industrious behavior continues to reshape the landscape, making each visit a fascinating glimpse into their world

21st August

On 21st August, we returned to Sculthorpe Moor to monitor the beavers. Improved weather made it perfect for wildlife activity and photography. At Plantation Wood, near the IDB sluice, we saw bark-stripped trunks, branches, and wood chippings. Inside Gate 3, signs of beavers were clear near the wood close to the IDB.

The track through Oak Fen was now much drier, and the water in Oak Fen drain lower. Apples were left on the platform and scattered in the wood. Otter spraints were seen near Dam Six. Fresh beaver tracks were visible in the mud along the canal near Dam Six. Late-summer blooms brightened the scene with purple loosestrife, agrimony, and ragged robin. Large red dragonflies mated, and large white butterflies flitted past. The trail cameras showed kits feeding on Oak Fen drain banks and the others heading to Dragonfly Meadow in daylight producing some good views of the beavers and allowing us to assess their condition.

In the evening, we set up by the sluice for photography. A yearling soon emerged from Plantation Wood. Two yearlings fed in the reeds along the IDB, and a kit swam and ate nearby. An adult beaver swam and fed, while another was near a honeybee tree. Later, when we checked back at Oak Fen drain we noticed one apple gone from the platform and another moved from the haul-out.

This visit offered more insight into the beavers’ routines and the rich biodiversity of Sculthorpe Moor.

28th August

A week after our last visit, we returned to Sculthorpe Moor. Entering through Gate 1, we walked to the sluice gate at the IDB near Gate 2. The water level was higher. Large red dragonflies mated, and agrimony, forget-me-nots, and water mint were in bloom. Through Gate 3, we walked along Oak Fen and Oak Fen Drain, where speckled wood butterflies fluttered.

In the Oak Fen drain, the water level was significantly higher, particularly at Dam One, where two newly cut branches were visible on the opposite bank. Red admirals and large white butterflies zipped past. Apples were placed on the platform, and we saw evidence of beaver activity along the canal near Dam One.

Back at the IDB, we found convolvulus and common reed in flower, with sweet nightshade growing over the enclosure fence. A pair of buzzards circled overhead, calling. While on the wetland areas a great white and little egrets flew nearby. Trail cameras later showed the kit moving freely, often with the yearling climbing over dams. Footage from Plantation wood near the sluice captured beavers chewing a large branch to use in dam building, while others collected branches and vegetation. One camera also showed them working on cutting down a large tree.

The evening weather was poor, but we stayed. Clearing branches from the sluice, we hoped the water sound would trigger dam rebuilding. In order to great some clear views of both the the beavers in daylight and how they go about the building process.  Two red kites flew overhead. An adult beaver appeared near the honeybee tree. Two yearlings fed on flag iris along the IDB. Another beaver was at the far end of the IDB, but fading light prevented photography.