Has anyone walked the nature trail at Jane Heinrich Park and run into the beaver swimming around in the creek?
We have decided that we will call the beaver “Jeff” and embrace Jeff as a fellow Yamhill resident so long as everyone (including Jeff) minds their manners.
If you go down to the nature trail often, or are thinking about having a looky-loo, it is important to stay safe and not scare Jeff.
Here are some interesting tips for safely observing a beaver:
1. Timing is Everything
Beavers are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
Sit quietly and wait. Once they feel the “coast is clear,” they’ll come out to forage.
2. Stay Downwind and Low
Beavers have mediocre eyesight but an incredible sense of smell and hearing.
The Wind: If the wind is blowing from you toward the beaver, they’ll catch your scent and likely dive.
The Profile: Try to sit against a tree or thicket, so your silhouette doesn’t stand out against the sky.
3. Keep Your Distance
The “Tail Slap”: If you see or hear a loud CRACK on the water (like a gunshot or a heavy rock being thrown), that is the beaver’s alarm signal. It means you’re too close or they feel threatened. If they slap their tail, back away—you’ve officially been “told off.”
Equipment: Use binoculars or a zoom lens rather than trying to get right up to the bank.
4. Safety Precautions
Watch Your Step: Beaver “infrastructure” makes for unstable ground. Watch for hidden tunnels (bank dens) that can collapse under your weight, or slippery “slides” on the mud.
Give Them an Exit: Never stand between a beaver and the water. If they are on land, they will head for the water at a surprising speed if they get spooked.
Leash Your Dog: Beavers are generally non-aggressive, but they are highly territorial and will defend themselves against a curious dog if they feel cornered in the water.
