Rewilding: Beavers’ first dam on Exmoor in ‘half a millennium’ Beavers released by the National Trust as part of a river restoration project have built what is believed to be the first dam on Exmoor for more than 400 years. Ben Eardley, Project Manager at the National Trust, said, “It might look modest, but this beaver dam is incredibly special – it’s the first to appear on Exmoor for almost half a millennium and marks a step change in how we manage the landscape.” “What’s amazing is that in only a few weeks it created an instant wetland. We’ve already spotted kingfishers, and as the beavers extend their network of dams and pools, we should see increased opportunities for other wildlife, including amphibians, insects, bats and birds.” Footage captured on wildlife cameras shows the animals gnawing nearby trees and collecting vegetation to create a dam (pictured right) across small channels that run through the Holnicote estate in west Exmoor. It appeared just nine months after the animals were introduced to slow the flow of water through the landscape and improve river quality and biodiversity. The beavers were the first to be released into the wild by the National Trust in its 125-year history. Beavers are often referred to as ‘ecosystem engineers’. Given the right conditions, they can build dams to create deep pools of water which offer shelter from predators and places to access and store food. Ben continued, “The winter rain we’ve had is a reminder of the significant role beavers can play in engineering the landscape. As we face into the effects of climate change and more frequent extreme weather events, natural interventions like this need to be part of the solution.”
Exmoor beaver - photo Ben Birchall
22
Contact Molton Monthly: 07484 290500 email: info@moltonmonthly.co.uk
