Beavers returning to Northamptonshire after 400 years
It's part of work to improve biodiversity in the Nene Wetlands Reserve.
Work’s underway to encourage more beavers to take up residence near Rushden.
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust are making the animals at home at the Nene Wetlands Reserve helping restore natural woodland habitat.
Many Wildlife Trusts around the country now have beaver released schemes through extensive research they have found that beavers and the landscapes that they generate benefit both people and wildlife for a wide variety of reasons.
At Delta Pit the presence of beavers will complement and reduce the need for the existing site management by staff and contractors.
That's because the beavers will do the work of the removal of willow growth around the lake edges, restoring areas of reedbed and diversifying the marginal vegetation through foraging behaviours.
Matt Johnson, Wildlife Trust in Northamptonshire Conservation Manager, says:
“This is an exciting and unique opportunity to see this iconic species return to the Nene Valley, bringing back both its natural habitat restoration skills as well as providing an opportunity for the visitors to see beavers in the wild at our most visited reserve.”
The fence has another 4 weeks to go to be completed and will be the biggest visual sign of the beaver plan at Nene Wetlands Reserve.
Matt tells us the beavers are coming down from Scotland to their new home in Rushden.
The project is still fundraising as they've not reached their total yet. You can find out more at their website.