Rangers at Wallington Estate are celebrating the birth of a baby beaver, the first in Northumberland for over 400 years.
The kit arrives less than a year after a family of Eurasian beavers were released on the 5,431-hectare National Trust estate in north-east England.
Camera trap footage shows the young beaver, thought to have been born in late May, exploring the wetland habitat with its family.
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Once a common sight across much of Britain, beavers were hunted to extinction during the 16th century. In recent years, there has been a push to re-establish populations across the UK, including at Wallington, where a family of beavers were released last year.
Beavers can help restore ‘at risk’ habitats and benefit nature to help tackle declines in biodiversity and the climate crisis through the creation of wetlands.
Since their release, this family of 'ecosystem engineers' have helped attract kingfishers and Daubenton’s bats to the river, whilst also benefitting declining native white-clawed crayfish, says the National Trust, the wildlife charity who look after Wallington Estate.
“Since welcoming the family of beavers to Wallington the resulting impact on the water environment has been nothing short of astonishing," said Paul Hewitt, Countryside Manager for the National Trust at Wallington.
“As a keystone species we have watched with keen interest as beavers do what beavers do, expertly altering their river environment to the massive benefit of other species. With the development of dams, we are starting to see the benefits of beavers in slowing water flows and making the flood plain more resilient to future climate change."
The beavers have built dynamic systems of dams, canals and burrows, which slow the flow of water through the enclosure. This slowing creates ponds, pools and mudscapes – a rich wetland habitat that is already having a significant impact on biodiversity along the river.
There has been a noticeable increase in resident trout, says the National Trust, along with more regular visits from kingfishers and grey herons, which feed in the newly formed pools and ponds.
The organic matter that builds up behind the dams attracts large numbers of insects, including mayflies and caddisflies, which in turn proved a rich food source for Daubenton’s bats – which have been spotted in greater numbers foraging across the slow-moving water.
The increase in water levels has also left tree roots submerged, a habitat favoured by native but very rare white-clawed crayfish.
The changes to the landscape in just 12 months are "astonishing", say the National Trust team, who are hopeful that the family's new addition will further enhcance the diversity of the river corridor.
Wallington's beavers are looked after by a team of over 25 National Trust volunteers, who work alongside the ranger team, checking fences and monitoring the wellbeing of the animals.
“We are thrilled that after an absence of around 400 years we now have beavers back and breeding at Wallington," said Helen McDonald, the National Trust’s Lead Ranger at Wallington.
"They have put a lot of effort into building and maintaining their lodges and getting their family settled, showing great perseverance and resilience during their relocation and then during the floods we’ve had over the last year.
“This spring we’ve had our eyes glued to trail camera footage, looking out for signs of breeding and to see whether the adult female beaver was lactating. It’s such a relief that they have bred successfully and to see a new fluffy kit swimming with the family, we know now they must feel at home here at Wallington.
“We’ll continue to monitor the family to check on their health and condition and follow the new kit’s progress.”
The team are hopeful that the growing wetlands will see even more diverse species recorded, such as the small pearl bordered fritillary, which lay their eggs on marsh violets – a plant that could flourish on the site as the ground gets wetter.
Beavers also play an important role in creating habitats more resilient to the effects of climate change, for example flooding events and drought.
“As a keystone species we have watched with keen interest as beavers do what beavers do, expertly altering their river environment to the massive benefit of other species," says Hewitt.
"With the development of dams, we are starting to see the benefits of beavers in slowing water flows and making the flood plain more resilient to future climate change.
“As a stark reminder of our changing climate, the release of the beavers here, coincided with the wettest 18-months ever recorded in England. Despite many winter storms with near record river levels recorded the beavers have continued to thrive. As their dam network continues to expand, we will see more evidence of slowing water flows and making more capacity for flood water. Now into the summer months the dammed wetlands are acting as “sponges” slowly releasing water at a steady rate.”
Visitor access to the beaver enclosure is carefully managed in partnership with wildlife experience providers Wild Intrigue. For details of tours and further information about the beaver family at Wallington visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington.
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