Beaver tracks at River Byske

The winter came early this year, already at the end of October.
My thoughts went back to last year’s very warm autumn that made it possible to fly-fish until December. This was going to be my last visit,  with a fly rod that is, to River Byske before the winter arrived with its cold temperatures and darkness. Fishing for salmon is prohibited since August, but a streamer can always tempt the seatrout, trout and grayling.

When I arrived at one of my favourite spots down by the river, it looked kind of different. I became aware of what effect some beavers can have on nature in only two weeks. Since my last visit to the Byske river they had felled more than 50 trees and made a lot of damage near the riverbank.

Look at the pictures, they speak for themselves......

The early winter starts to freeze ice on my beloved river.

Beavers live in streams, rivers, and lakes where trees are abundant.
The European beaver is approx.110 cm long and weight about 30 kg. Beavers are primarily aquatic animals. They have waterproof, rich, glossy, brown fur, and large, black, webbed feet. Their powerful hind legs also increase their swimming ability. Beavers have the ability to close their nostrils and ears while swimming under water, and they have a clear eyelid to protect their eyes from the water and debris.
The tail is one of the defining characteristics of beavers. It is broad and flat with large, blackish scales. Another characteristic of beavers is their teeth. Like all rodents, beavers have large central incisors (front teeth) that are always growing. They must keep them trimmed by gnawing bark. Beavers are also found in Norway, Finland, Russia and North America (Castor Canadensis).

Their favourites seem to be birch, alder, and aspen trees.

European beaver (Castor Fiber)

Beavers modify their environment for their own purposes.

The beaver path ends at the riverbank. Notice the two holes in the ice near the entrance of the beaver nest on the right hand in the picture.

The largest tree with a diameter around 70 cm (27.5 inch).

"Busy as a beaver", goes the old saying.