Chlorinator Creek, a place that is near and dear to me. A stream that runs along a seasonal road, aptly named Chlorinator Rd. This lovely area is very close by to where I live and therefore I walk this road often.
Over the last few years its been evident that beavers are hoping to make a pond out of this stream. Though they have tried and evidently failed. There are at least two old and overgrown lodges, and evidence of dams that for whatever reason failed or perhaps didn't get finished. The beavers now appear to be further down the stream, and pictured above is what I am guessing is their current lodge.
I am not a biologist, just a lover of wildlife who likes to observe and figure out what's going on out in nature. Therefore, I wonder what the issue is here, why haven't they been successful in turning this stream into a pond? I haven't had much luck researching this. I know that a good dam can be constructed by beavers in around 2 to 3 days, so it would seem if they were determined they'd have this stream transformed by now.
Either way, in the early Spring it's easy to see old and new evidence of beavers in the area. Trees cut down by beavers, beaver chews on trees that haven't yet fallen down. As for right now the vegetation is quite high, and I can't get good photos of most of it. So I settled for a decent photo of their lodge.
The water levels in this stream are typically fairly low, that being said it appears you can see an entrance to this lodge, it's likely they engineered it this way so they can get into it from above water when the levels are low, or underwater if levels are high.
It is a mission of mine to spend time observing them in the early Spring of next year before the vegetation hinders the view of the stream and surrounding area. I have yet to actually lay eyes on a beaver here, but the signs are clear. They are here and trying to some degree to make it their own.
One side of the road here is very much wooded, and the other side more open but dense with vegetation perfect for songbirds. Wildflowers border the side of the road, different varieties in different stages of Spring and Summer. This road is really only used as a short cut by locals, other than a few houses downstream closer to the village, this is an ideal location for beavers. The road itself sits up high enough from the creek that flooding wouldn't be a serious concern. There would likely be no reason to manage a successful dam here. It's out on a quiet road surrounded by wilderness.
I wish them all the success and hope to observe some real activity here. As someone who avidly birdwatches this road, who knows exactly where to expect each species in what location along the road; I can honestly say that a beaver pond would bring some change to that. It would be welcome change, and a potential to draw some different species here to breed. I think the existing birds that breed on this road would still remain.
Along with birds, there is plenty of wildlife to be seen here. Squirrels making a ruckus in the trees, chipmunks making sounds that confuse me for the chips of a songbird. Raccoons occasionally cross the road, and deer are often passing through. I have found the occasional garter snake sunning on the warm gravel and of course the glowing presence of the eastern red-spotted newts.
These newts are common especially around beaver ponds. They prefer to lay their eggs in beaver ponds for the reason that most of the time there aren't any fish around to cause a threat. Eastern Newts start their life in water as larvae, then they grow in juveniles and set out in a terrestrial stage of life. They roam around and are often right out in the open in their bright orange coloration. The reason being they are poisonous to mammals, including humans. If eaten they will make a predator very sick and even possibly kill them. It has been this way for some time I imagine because they sure strut around like they know they aren't likely to be messed with. They do however get eaten by other invertebrates such as birds who aren't effected by the poison.
During their juvenile stage, they wander far distances, finding new water sources. They typically stay in this terrestrial stage for two or three years. Then they pick a water source and in they go, as they become adults and therefore become fully aquatic. Some populations however, have adapted so they stay in the terrestrial phase for their whole lives, only entering the water to breed.
If your living in upstate New York, chances are you've encountered these bright colored newts. They are a fascinating creature and one wonderful example of a species that thrives in an ecosystem created by beavers.
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