Rewilding London – Release the Beavers

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Beavers were hunted into extinction 400 years ago in England, but in the last 20 years, or so, they have been deliberately reintroduced, in small groups, as part of a plan or suddenly just turned up, released by persons unknown. In the short period of time, beavers have made a difference to their local areas. Their ‘engineering’ has slowed the flow of water, improving drainage and increasing plant growth which in turn is encouraging wildlife and insects to increase. In 2023 it was agreed to release beavers in the London Borough of Ealing, about 10 Km from me, on Paradise Fields some 10 hectares in size, with a mix of small water courses, trees and shrubs. This part of Borough has been prone to flooding, including nearby Greenford Tube Station. Since their arrival, the beavers have been credited with a decrease in flooding. I made a trip to see the beavers, but I wasn’t too hopeful of seeing them as they are mainly nocturnal. There is an area set up for observation, but I saw only ducks. There was what could have have been a lodge, but was likely just a pile of sticks. As the middle picture shows the area is quite overgrown with reeds, but I guess they are food for beavers. Still, a nice day for good walk and lunch ‘al fresco’.