How do beavers build their houses
Beavers build and maintain houses called lodges. There are two main types, the conical lodge and the bank lodge. In the river valley, beavers build the bank lodge. It is typically excavated into the bank of a large stream, river, or lake where the water is too deep or fast moving to build the classic conical lodge.
Within each lodge beavers will hollow out a chamber where they sleep, eat, groom each other, and the baby kits are born and nursed each spring. Beddings of grasses, reeds and wood chips are changed regularly. In order to breathe fresh air beavers do not apply mud to the peak of the lodge, creating a ventilation shaft.
Each lodge contains at least two water-filled tunnels leading from the chamber to the water so the beavers can enter and exit the lodge underwater without being spotted by predators. The walls of the lodge are very strong due to layers of mud and sticks and are extremely insulated. Even with sub-zero outside temperatures it will not drop below freezing inside the lodge due to retained body heat from the family of beavers.
In cold climates, beavers will stockpile sticks underwater each fall because they do not hibernate. They live on these sticks because once ice forms they will no longer have access to trees on the land. Beavers remain inside their lodge all winter except when they swim under the ice to their food cache for a stick to nibble on. Learn more at https://www.beaversolutions.com/beaver-facts-education/beaver-behavior-and-biology/
What are pussy willows
Brighten this time of physical distancing and self-isolation by keeping an eye out on your river valley rambles for the first signs of spring among our native plants. The willow flower, known as the pussy willow, are among the very first to bloom. They signal the last throes of winter and the brink of spring.
At the tail end of winter, fuzzy nubs start to appear along the branches of pussy willows. These soft silver tufts, as well as the plant itself, are named for their resemblance to tiny cats’ paws. They feel so much like fur that young children often wonder if they are animals instead of plants. What are those little nubs? Are they seeds? Fruits? And why are they fuzzy?
They're flowers just before they fully bloom. The soft coating of hairs acts as insulation to protect these early bloomers from cold temperatures. The species most called pussy willow, Salix discolor, is a small, shrubby species of willow that can be found dotting wetlands and moist woods throughout much of North America. Read more at https://www.bbg.org/news/what_are_pussy_willows_anyway
Wonder what Edmonton coyotes eat
The Edmonton Urban Coyote Project http://www.edmontonurbancoyotes.ca/ studies coyotes in our city and river valley. Led by Colleen Cassady St. Clair, it collects information on coyote diet, movement and habitat selection, and knowledge and perception of residents about coyotes.
Questions include does poor diet and human food sources such as garbage and compost increase susceptibility to parasites and diseases? Do diseased animals make more use of residential areas during the day? Is there a link between coyotes in conflict with people and a diet of less protein and more processed food?
USA research found coyotes eat everything from fruits to cat. Cats made up 20 percent of urban coyotes’ diet. Fallen fruit were an important source of summer food and they also hunted rabbits, gophers and squirrels. Listen to this 3-minute podcast at
https://player.fm/series/series-1274742/coyotes-eat-everything-from-fruits-to-cats
Why do migrating geese honk
One can’t help but notice migrating birds while walking in the river valley at this time of year, particularly Canada geese. Researchers think that the honking sound geese make as they fly is used to help maintain the integrity of the flock, and to co-ordinate position shifts with the V-formation in which they fly
When geese fly in formation, they create their own unique form of teamwork. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in their ‘V', the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the ‘V', and another goose flies point. Learn more at https://www.hww.ca/en/wildlife/birds/canada-goose.html
Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/