Good News from Unexpected, January 2010
Happy New Year!
It is a little over a week into the new year, and the Refuge is in the tight, cold grip of Winter. At 4:50 AM this morning the promise of sunrise was just a promise. The sky was black and cloudless and the moon, in it’s third quarter, sat low over the still white pond, brilliant and hard, like a sharp sickle of ice.
Nothing stirred. Nothing but me, with birdseed and firewood, making a ruckus in Mother Nature’s quiet sleepy bedroom. By 7 AM I had company with birds dining and squirrels twitching and hiding from each other. In the 15 degree air, I bundled up to go inspect the beaver lodges. Yes, lodges! Plural! The pond was frozen almost up to the Dike, with a small area of open water. Otter tracks began there at a pile of scaley scat, and wiggled across the snowy ice, upstream.
Construction Zone
The beavers have worked very hard to keep up with the wet weather. In late November I was thrilled to find a brand new beaver lodge right next to the upstream side of the Dike path. Complete with winter pantry, the beavers built the small emergency digs literally over night. I can only assume that they were flooded out downstream and hastily relocated to a spot close enough to touch.
From a convenient perch on Hope’s old bucket seat I can spy on the larger beaver who comes out at dusk to work on her home. Beavers constantly work on their lodges, adding sticks and mud, adjusting height and width, inspecting. She hauls the building materials up the side of the modest mound upright, with arms full. She pushes and packs and then she stops cold, suddenly aware of my presence. Then whack! Work is suspended until dark.
But that is not the end of this construction stimulus. During six-day shotgun season, I discovered a third lodge, about halfway between the original lodge and the newer Dike lodge. I have not seen an increase in beavers, just the usual pair, so I can only assume those two are adjusting to the unseasonably high level of precipitation. Whichever lodge they have currently chosen is, I am sure, warm and cozy in its bed of ice.
Closed Due to Flooding
We humans had some adjusting to do as well, with the December rains and then 22" of snow just before Christmas. Just before six-day patrol began it rained for 24 hours, flooding the trails in many places and covering some of the elevated boards. Patrollers were warned to wear their rubber boots or suffer the consequences. Dave, who has been patrolling “longer than he can remember,” said he had never seen the Refuge like this before.
Mid-week it rained again, and by Friday the temperature fell well into freezing. Paula brought salt, and we did our best to make the slippery boards safe for crossing. Six-day patrol went well regardless, without incident or injury. (Incidentally, laying awake worrying all night does not lower the floodwaters nor raise the temperature — not one bit.)
The water pressure from all the rain and melted snow was so great that it pushed the Dike boardwalk off the supports. The other boardwalks located throughout the Refuge, as well as the trails, were under 6" of water. For the first time in 10 years, I was disoriented and confused in this newly expanded swamp. On December 27th, the Refuge was officially closed to the public due to unsafe conditions. I patrolled solo during our two-week closure, sometimes in hip waders. We are now up and running again. However, boots are still a requirement for dry feet.
Beavers Abound
We were contacted by several concerned and interested individuals regarding beaver activity near and far last year. I have been keeping tabs on some of this activity, as you will read in this issue. One problem we are having in New Jersey is at Webb’s Mill Bog in Ocean County.
Webb’s Mill Bog is a Pinelands area that is a haven for botanists, who come from all over to view globally rare plants such as bog asphodel and pale beaksedge; a variety of orchids; and carnivorous plants, just to name a few. But the bog has been flooded for the past few years as a result of a beaver dam that has done just what beavers intend it to do: flood the area, resulting in a large pond where these rare plants once flourished.
I personally visited this lovely gem, and concur that it should not be allowed to flood to the current levels. Please take a moment to contact the NJDEP and request that flow devices be installed at this site. Please ask that the beavers NOT BE TRAPPED. Trapping is a short-term and tragic solution to flooding problems. New beavers will move in and the killing cycle will begin again. Flow devices are inexpensive 18" diameter flex pipes that allow humans to control the level of damming. These pipes are totally effective if installed properly and last for many years. Please contact the State ask for a humane, long-term, inexpensive solution to this easily solved dilemma. Please contact:
Mark N. Mauriello, Commissioner, NJDEP
P.O. Box 402, Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
phone: 609-292-2885
fax: 609-292-7695
David Chanda, Director, Div. of Fish & Wildlife
PO Box 402, Trenton, NJ 08625
phone: 609-292-0891
Eighth Eagle Scout
Brandon Galezniak, from Boy Scout Troop 54, became our 8th Eagle Scout at Unexpected. Brandon’s leadership project was the restoration and enhancement of Mockingbird Field. He and his crew removed massive amounts of invasive plants like multiflora rose, Japanese honeysuckle and autumn olive and used the brush to close off an unused trail. They pruned back the fruit trees and up-branched other trees for easier mowing. Brandon and his crew made and installed two well-built benches for folks to sit and enjoy this lovely peaceful space.
Thanks to Brandon’s efforts we now have two new nest boxes and an attractive information sign explaining the facts about Mockingbirds and their habitat. Congratulations, Brandon on a job well done!
Beavers in the Crow’s Woods Nature Preserve
By Butch Brees, Haddonfield Parks Conservancy Trail Restoration Coordinator, and former Scoutmaster of Troop 65, Haddonfield, NJ
A few short months ago, the members of the Haddonfield Parks Conservancy of Haddonfield, NJ, became aware of a beaver, or beavers, beginning activity in establishing a new lodge in the 44-acre Crows Woods Nature Preserve. Not being an expert in the activities and processes of a young beaver establishing his new home, and being the Parks trail restoration coordinator, I contacted Sarah Summerville for information and lessons in Beavers 101. It wasn’t more than a few days and Sarah made the trip to meet with me and view the area where the beavers had begun building dams. It had been a long time since I had seen Sarah since I retired as Scoutmaster, so it was nice to see her again. Her information was extremely helpful in helping us to make a decision as to whether to let the beaver remain or try to have it removed.
The Parks Conservancy was looking for answers as to what to expect in the future, if the beaver was left to build. After the consultation and information imparted by Sarah, our organization made the decision to let the beavers continue and try to co-exist with them. As more days went by, the dams became more substantial, putting the end of one of the two bridges in the water. At this point the water level had been raised about 18", making this small stream area overflow its banks, making the surrounding swampy area more of a pond. (The stream is a Cooper River tributary, leading to the main branch of the Cooper. This stream begins in Voorhees, NJ, and meanders its way through several communities and into the Tavistock Country Club’s golf course. From there, it passes under the Patco Speedline and begins its way into the Crows Woods Nature Preserve.)
Then, a sad event took place — we found a dead beaver in the stream, not being sure what caused the tragedy. Upon Sarah’s advice, I removed a section of the center of both dams, searching for the answer if another or more beavers were present. Almost overnight, the dams were repaired, so it confirmed more beavers still were in the area…and hard at work. Since Fish and Wildlife never showed up to pick up the beaver carcass, I buried it up on the hill, overlooking his former work area. Over the following weeks, the work of our new beavers was monitored and continued to amaze us with their industrious progress. But, the largest of the two bridges was becoming a concern to us. The steep ramp (which I never liked) was now in the water and becoming farther and farther from the bank. The distance was now about 8 feet of rather fast flowing water. The frequent visitors to the Woods were also industrious and began piling branches and small trees in the water, enabling them to get from bank to bridge ramp. I think many got wet feet, (including myself), trying to negotiate this distance. Something had to be done.
The Parks Conservancy decided to extend the bridge to make it safer and more passable for visitors. Following an initial analysis, and feasibility study, a list of materials was created for the project. The request was made by the Parks Conservancy to the Borough of Haddonfield for a P.O., since we have a line item in their budget. After a few weeks, the Purchase Order as approved and materials ordered.
In the mean time, when visits were made to the stream area, the lodge location was confirmed, by an excited ‘me.’ My first call was to Sarah to tell her the exciting news. I took photos and e-mailed them to her and she confirmed what I had found. The lodge is located in a nice secluded area, off the trail — but right next to the Patco Speedline. The ponding area just outside the lodge is deep enough, created by the speed of the water coming through the pipe from under the Speedline. It seems the beavers are swimming back and forth through the tube and gathering small trees and branches from the other side. Pretty neat location for a new ‘neighborhood.’
Well, on Saturday, January 16th, the weather cooperated and allowed us a great day to fix the bridge. Our team of ‘structural engineers’ went to work on the bridge, removing the steep ramp (remember the one I disliked), cut it up and got rid of it. We set up (4) 2”x12”x24’ stringers, utilizing joist hangers, waded through the water and set them in place. Once that process was complete, the planks were put in place and the project of extending the bridge by 22 feet was complete. This placed the extension high enough over the ponded area of the stream to make passage easy. (Of course, this sounded easy — but in reality, there were some tricky challenges, sticky mud that can suck your boots off, deep areas that went OVER boots, sore muscles and heavy wood.) End result – NEAT BRIDGE!
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Annual Vulture Festival, Saturday, March 6th, 1 - 10 p.m., Wenonah, NJ.
For several years, nearly 200 vultures (Turkey and Black) have made Wenonah their winter home, returning each
evening to form a communal roost (their previous winter roost was lost to development). The scientific name for
Turkey Vultures, Cathartes aura (“;golden purifier”), refers to their role of cleansing the
environment. Yet these birds are little understood by the public. The festival aims to be a fun, educational
evening event which has a positive and enduring impact on the community. Profits from the event are being used
to initiate a vulture education program in Wenonah. There are only four other towns in the US that host vulture
festivals.
For more information call (856) 468-6536 or visit www.EastCoastVultureFestival.org
Lines on the Pines, The ABCs of the Pine Barrens, Sunday, March 14th, Vienna Inn, Christina’s, 920 White Horse Pike, Galloway, NJ. 1 - 4 p.m., free to the public - Artist and Authors, book signing, booths and crafts. 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Family Style Dinner - $33 pre paid. Contact (609) 965-0457 or linesonthepines@comcast.net.
Pinelands Short Courses, Saturday, March 20th, Burlington County Community College. Classes, field trips, lectures, music and exhibits. For information call (609) 894-7300 ext. 125; flyer: http://www.nj.gov/pinelands/about/events/PSC%202010.pdf
Earth Day Clean-up at Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, Saturday, April 3rd, 9 a.m. Join us for our annual clean-up along Piney Hollow Road with some trail maintenance on the trip back to the cabin. This year we will have a brief ceremony dedicating a portion of our trail to Joe Trujillo. Bring a lunch, and something to share for the after clean-up picnic. Beverages are provided. This is a rain or shine event, dress accordingly. Please contact the Refuge to register for this event.
My Last Rodent Update
Well, rat lovers, it is the end of an era. On November 11th while The Beaver Defenders was at the printer, little Bobbin passed away. As with previous deaths, he was buried in the litter on the first floor of his apartment by his brother.
Left alone, Ratman, the largest of all the rats, carried on. After Bobbin’s death, he was subdued for several days; he would not eat or come out of his box.
Then, he would come to me for ear-rubs, tummy rubs and special yummy treats like cookies and mushrooms. He knew my voice and relished attention, sniffing the air in anticipation of contact.
In his final days, he slept mostly. It was hard for him to get around, with old legs that would no longer support him and very poor eyesight (if he could see at all). He died on January 13th, and joined his siblings under the white pines in the Butterfly Garden.
I sure did learn a lot from those little guys.