In a recent post on Teatown Reservation I noted a number of changes since I’d last been there. However, I failed to note one significant difference: signs of increased Beaver activity everywhere. Never before had I noticed so many downed trees near the lake – all with signs of “beaver chewing”. It seems to have become such a problem that many of the trees by the water now have metal cages around their base – presumably to stop the beavers getting at them (see second picture below). On my walks I’ve often seen signs of beaver activity, but I’ve never once seen an actual beaver. I just checked to see if beavers are nocturnal. Apparently they’re not. They’re actually crepuscular meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk, which would explain why I never see them as I’m rarely (if ever) out at these times.