Otters, Beavers, Winter Prep, Etc. - UPDATE November 10, 2024
Blue jays
Yesterday began with a big breakfast bunch of blue jays jostling for sunflower seeds.
Otter family
Otter family
The excitement today was an otter swimming toward this shore noticeably faster than a beaver. Not having seen one for months, maybe years; I grabbed my camera and hobbled down to the lake. This summer I wondered if otters were among the culprits as I saw duckling litters shrink. I got down to the shore in time to see the otter join two others, probably its growing young that would be about seven months old now. If it was the mother, she is probably pregnant. They have delayed implantation, so they mate shortly after they give birth in late winter or early spring. The three frolicked in the water 15-20 minutes before suddenly disappearing. No more ripples. They can stay underwater for about eight minutes, so I climbed up to where I could see ripples but saw none. My best guess is they went ashore.
Beaver Lodge by WRI
Beaver Lodge by WRI
Beaver lodge across the lake
Beaver lodge across the lake
While I was looking for the otters, I noticed that the beaver lodge that is almost exactly 200 feet from my desk was freshly mudded. Are the beavers thinking of switching to that lodge rather than staying at
the one across the lake where they cached branches for winter food?
Red squirrel
Red squirrel
In good light, a red squirrel showed me its big bushy winter tail that it will use to cover its face and body while sleeping this winter.
Thank you for all you do.
Lynn Rogers, Biologist, Wildlife Research Institute and North American Bear Center
