Beavers ‘breathe new life’ into Dorset as dams built and biodiversity returns | Wildlife

They were released this time last year with great hope and perhaps also a little trepidation.

Twelve months later, the first beavers were (officially) reintroduced into the wild in England since the semi-aquatic mammals were hunted to extinction 400 years ago.

Presenting an end-of-year report, the National Trust, which is responsible for the project, said it was delighted that beavers had remodeled their new home in Dorset, where they felled trees to build a 35-metre dam, slowing the flow of a stream and creating a deep, wildlife-rich pool.

By reforesting trees, they have brought in more light and improved habitats for plants, insects, amphibians, birds and bats – and can help prevent flooding of a nearby road.

Surveillance cameras spotted an otter fishing in the pond as well as a barn owl hunting there, and volunteers spotted birds including redpolls and water rails.

The cameras also captured footage of two of the beavers mating, which is seen as a sign that they have settled into their new home and there could be cubs this summer.

But there were setbacks. Two pairs of beavers were released into Little Sea, a freshwater lake on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, one on the west side, the other on the east side.

The female western beaver quickly got up and left Little Sea, ending up in the seaside town of Swanage, several miles away, possibly after swimming across Swanage Bay.

She was trapped and brought back. Later, she and her partner visited a water treatment plant in Wessex. The area has been fenced off to discourage them.

They returned to the Little Sea area and established their base in a damp wooded area, a little away from the lake, where they kept busy doing their engineering work and, hopefully, starting a family.

Unfortunately, the male released in the eastern part was found dead in Swanage Bay, probably from saltwater poisoning, and there have been no recent positive sightings of the female.

General Crisford, head of the National Trust’s wetlands project, said setbacks were inevitable. “You don’t control all the environmental factors and wild animals sometimes have a difficult existence, especially with climate change,” she said.

Crisford said the Western duo clearly had some adventures. “But we may be living in a happily ever after moment now. We hope to see some kits from them later in the year and we’ll continue to follow what they do.

“Just seeing beavers doing what beavers do and actually having a technical impact on the habitat is fantastic. The effect on the ecosystem in a relatively short period of time is astonishing. From a dense, tangled forest, the beavers created a light, airy wetland teeming with life above and below the water.

“We can’t wait to see what wildlife appears this spring and summer – from dragonflies, diving beetles and butterflies to frogs and newts – and of course, all the animals that feed on them.

“Not only have the beavers breathed new life into the landscape, but it also appears that by slowing the flow of the creek, they are helping to prevent the nearby road from flooding during heavy rains.”

The new beavers joined another pair on the lake, who arrived there by unknown means months before the British government’s license for National Trust beavers was granted. This duo raised three kits and built two large lodges, one on each side of the 33-hectare (82-acre) lake.

Ben McCarthy, head of nature conservation at the National Trust, said the effect on the landscape had been remarkable.

He added: “This reintroduction demonstrates how positive policy action can lead to tangible ecological recovery in a very short period of time. »

The project allows the release of 10 to 25 adult beavers and the next release should take place this fall.