On a recent evening while walking my dog around Camden Central Pond, I watched a beaver there! Swimming with little concern about our presence. Splashed and dove, then back to surface paddling.
Now, I don’t know if he/she is or will take up residence among us, or is just a visitor. Last week I saw a road-killed beaver on France Ave. and 61st St., right in the middle of that busy road, and no less than 1/4 mile from the nearest body of water. It may be that they strike out to find new territory this time of year, and hike overland in that search.
Camden Central Pond, at Morgan and 42nd Aves N, provides a passing parade of wildlife. Simple observation over the months, with no notes taken, gleans the following list of species attracted by the pond which may otherwise not be seen at that site. Trained specialists could perhaps double this visitor list!
Fish: Bullheads, minnows and perch. Birds: Bald eagle, blue bird, blue jay, Canada goose, cardinal, chickadee, coot, cormorant, crow, egret, English sparrow, great blue heron, green heron, killdeer, kingfisher, loon, mallard, osprey, red winged blackbird, robin, gull, snowy owl, starling, tree swallow and wood duck. Mammals: Beaver, coyote, raccoon, red fox and grey squirrel. Amphibians: American toad, turtle and spring peeper. Insects: Dragonfly, bumblebee, honey bee, hummingbird moth, monarch butterfly and tiger swallowtail butterfly.
Jon Ekblad,
Victory