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| Geese in the ice queue – Plainsboro Preserve |
Last night, I was out for my evening stroll around town, trying to dodge known deposits made on the sidewalks by dogs with lazy (or poop-pick-up averse) owners from memory while enjoying the spring-like temps. This is no easy feat in the dark, but so far, I’ve been successful in avoiding stepping in dog shit.
On my way back, I pass Brainerd Lake – and have been surprised, on occasion, by interesting wildlife. In the summer, it is usually a gray heron perched on the edge of the dam spillway. In the fall, gaggles of Canadian geese take up half the lake. This winter, I’ve seen ducks of varying plumage on my morning walk. My most favorite, and usually only spotted (or heard) at night, are the beavers.
I am absolutely entranced by the beavers. And we have a lot of them. I did not realize how many beavers we had until I began weekly hikes at the nearby Plainsboro Preserve, where there is a very active colony chewing up all manner of trees and dragging their lumber cache to and from the weirdest places. It was only then that I began to notice the tell-tale signs of beaver activity around Brainerd Lake in my little town. Across the street from the lake is the creek leading into the West Property that stretches into Plainsboro, though I am not sure if it is directly connected to the preserve activity. (Something to research!) The creek is fed by the overflow from the lake through massive tubes beneath the street. In plain view about 50 feet along the creek is a mess (and I mean mess) of trees across the span. About 10 feet from that, another mess. They aren’t quite blocking the flow of the creek to create a pool between the “fallen” trees; yet. Beavers!
I spotted a beaver on the creek side once. It was still light out and he was enjoying his swim among the turtles and fish. And one night, last winter, I had my wits frightened out of me when passing a hedge close to the lake’s edge by what could only have been a foraging beaver: from behind the hedge, I heard a hiss and then chittering within a foot of me passing and then a big splash into the lake. The owners of that property have wire guards around the trees near the lake. The reason is obvious. Beavers!
When the lake was frozen and covered with snow, I saw footprints, belly-sliding tracks, and even tail drags with prints in the snow going across the lake. Beavers!
Then last night, I witnessed the beaver brethren having a confab of sorts. As I approached the north side of the lake, I could hear very distinct chittering at the water’s edge. Knowing that there had to be at least one talkative beaver, I slowed my pace and strained to see anything in the direction of the noise. After a minute, a little brown head was making its way through the water toward me; maybe to see what I was doing there up on the bridge. After a few turns and dunks, he swam away. But there was still chitter-chatter in the rushes, so this guy wasn’t the only one in the water. As I followed his wake moving toward the south bank, I saw another wake further ahead. But still, the chittering persisted. I waited another few minutes to see if the third beaver made itself visible before I went on my way.
I don’t know what those guys were doing, but it was quite a conversation for at least five full minutes. There may have been more than one beaver left behind after the two I spotted swam away! When I passed by this morning, there was no evidence of their nocturnal visit or the reason for their clandestine conference, at least not visible to the naked eye.
Soon, we’ll be spotting the resident heron. I will be able to get a photo of him in daylight to share. Not as much fun, though.