Beaver dam, first in 400 years

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

New beaver dam on Exmoor Photo courtesy National Trust Beavers became extinct in the 16th century due to hunting for their meat, fur and scent glands. Since the early 2000s, they have been reintroduced at a handful of sites in Britain.

Although controversial with some landowners, evidence is mounting that beavers could help improve the state of our waterways. A five-year trial on the River Otter in Devon was recently hailed a success by the UK Government, who are now consulting on a national strategy for the reintroduction and management of the animals.