Further Reading
Looking for a new read to gnaw your teeth into? Whether your library lodge is of an age or you’re a kit on a new journey. Have a look through our library then, sit back, relax and take in the wonderful mountain of beaver knowledge available from across the globe.
BEAVER Books
Cornerstones: Benedict MacDonald
Wild Forces that can change our world
A book exploring the wonders of keystone species and ecosystem engineers, of which the beaver is well and truly an ambassador. Enjoy 28 pages of beaver brilliance then explore the other animals and communities that grace our wonderful landsacapes.
“From bees and beavers to boar and birds of prey, Cornerstones explores the animals that hold the key to recovering our biodiversity – showing us how they help with everything from preventing flooding and saving trees to conserving endangered birds and butterflies – and reveals the role that humans have to play”
River Journeys: Bevis Watts
Searching for wild beavers and finding freedom
“This is the story of a journey of discovery, following a mysterious report of a wild beaver on the River Avon near Bath. It describes intimate observations of life on the river and the ultimate discovery of a family of wild and free beavers and a revitalised environment. In the telling, it reveals how the river offered the author sanctuary and how immersion in the world of the beaver led to his own revival.”
Furthermore, all royalties from this book are split between the Beaver Trust and the Avon Wildlife Trust.
Bringing back the beaver: Derek Gow
The Story of one man’s quest to Rewild Britain’s waterways
Bringing Back the Beaver is farmer-turned-ecologist Derek Gow’s inspirational and often riotously funny firsthand account of how the movement to rewild the British landscape with beavers has become the single most dramatic and subversive nature conservation act of the modern era. Bringing Back the Beaver makes a passionate case as to why the return of one of nature’s great problem solvers will be critical as part of a sustainable fix for flooding and future drought, whilst ensuring the creation of essential lifescapes that enable the broadest possible spectrum of Britain’s wildlife to thrive.
Natures Architect: Jim Crumley
The beaver’s return to our wild landscapes
Hundreds of years after their extinction in these isles, beavers are – controversially- back in Britain. These shy creatures, often misunderstood are the skilled engineers of the natural world and they are already having a dramatic effect on our wild landscapes. Leading nature writer Jim Crumley gives a rare insight into the lives of these intriguing animals and considers the ecological and economic impact of the beaver reintroductions. Employing his trademark beautiful prose and empathy for life in the wild, Crumley contemplates the future for Britain’s beavers and makes a passionate argument for giving them their freedom.
Eager: Ben Goldfarb
The surprising, secret life of beavers and why they matter
Today, a growing coalition of “Beaver Believers”—including scientists, ranchers, and passionate citizens—recognizes that ecosystems with beavers are far healthier, for humans and non-humans alike, than those without them. From the Nevada deserts to the Scottish highlands, Believers are now hard at work restoring these industrious rodents to their former haunts. Eager is a powerful story about one of the world’s most influential species, how North America was colonized, how our landscapes have changed over the centuries, and how beavers can help us fight drought, flooding, wildfire, extinction, and the ravages of climate change.
BOOKS FOR KITS
Beaver: Rachel Poliquin
The superpower field guide
Humorous and engaging, Beavers is the first book in the new highly illustrated nonfiction Superpower Field Guide series, inspiring readers to laugh, think, and view the world around them with new eyes.
Meet Elmer, an ordinary beaver. He may not be as mighty as a lion or as dangerous as a shark. He may be squat and brown. But never underestimate a beaver.
Little Beaver: Dr Amy MacDonald
Little Beaver and the echo
An award-winning picture book favourite about a lonely little beaver in need of a friend.
Little beaver and the big front tooth
Little Beaver is feeling scared … his big front tooth is loose and feels as if it might fall out! How can he be a beaver without his big front tooth?
Beaver’s big adventure: Magnus Weightman
A journey home
Beaver heads off on an adventure, but gets lost along the way. He is saved by Akita the dog who offers him help to find his way home. Together in a hot-air balloon they travel the globe looking for Beaver’s home. Packed with wonderfully detailed pictures of animal houses from around the world. Ideal introduction to different animal habitats and discussion about environmental themes. Includes a world map with facts about how each animal makes its home and charts Beaver’s global journey.
BEAVERs in science
Potential psychological benefits of nature enrichment through the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) to Britain: A narrative literature review
Gandy, S & Watts, R (2021) European Journal of Ecopsychology
The reestablishment of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) has been posited as an effective means of facilitating restoration of biodiversity in Britain, and following successful trials, nationwide reintroduction is being considered. This literature review considers the potential psychological benefits of such an initiative.
The response of a brown trout (Salmo trutta) population to reintroduced Eurasian beaver (Cator Fiber) habitat modification
Needham, et.al (2021) Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Beaver reintroductions are increasingly used as a low-cost and self-sustaining means to restore river corridors. River modifications by beavers can increase availability of suitable habitat for fish, including salmonids. This study investigated the response of a population of brown trout to reintroduced Eurasian beaver habitat modifications in northern Scotland.
The Research Report 1274 – Survey of the Tayside Area Beaver Population 2020-2021
Beaver Management Report 2020
Commissioned by Nature Scot (2021)
This study provides details of the latest survey carried out from late 2020 to early 2021. It describes the methodologies and results to determine the current distribution, territory number and associated population estimate. Evidence of a range of human land-use conflict issues were reported, along with evidence of increasing mitigation measures. Recommendations for future survey actions are made.
Beavers: Ecology, Behaviour, Conservation and Management
Rosell & Campbell-Palmer (2021) OUP Oxford
For the most up-to-date reference guide covering everything, you need to know about North American and Eurasian beavers, look no further.
Frank Rosell is a Professor in behavioural ecology at the University of South-Eastern Norway, working alongside the brilliant Dr Róisín Campbell-Palmer, an independent beaver consultant working throughout Britain.
Beavers in Knapdale: Final Report from the Scottish Beavers Reinforcement Project
Dowse et, al. (2020)
Scottish beavers is a partnership between the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland created to continue the work of the Scottish Beaver Trial, which reintroduced Eurasian beavers into Knapdale Forest in 2009.
This report highlights the project and its success in beaver reintroduction. However, it should be noted, there are some concerns and good recommendations to ensure successful expansion and management of the species across the country.
Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) health surveillance in Britain: Accessing a disjunctive reintroduced population
Campbell-Palmer, et.al (2021) Vet Record
Following the increasing number of translocations that are happening across Britain, this recent paper highlights the health and condition of the British beaver population.
Results show all beavers in good physical condition, whilst showing no concerning signs of harbouring non-native zoonotic diseases.
Blogs from outside the lodge
Holding back the beaver by Derek Gow
Mark Avery
Another fantastically written and highly informative blog by Mark Avery and the incredible Derek Gow.
“The prospect of government moving to restore the beaver to England has been a long time coming. It is to the great credit of a broad range of individuals that this position has finally been achieved. While Boris Johnson’s ‘Build Back with Beavers” was hardly a Churchillian statement if his simple intent is to be delivered his government servants will have to insist that it is done.”
Beavers on the move – Part One & Two
Nature Scot
A two-part blog written by Dr Róisín Campbell-Palmer about her experiences around the translocations of beavers during her work with Nature Scot.
“Over 200 release events in more than 20 countries have been known to have occurred, making the Eurasian beaver one of the most commonly re-introduced animals in the world.”
A real testament to the importance of this species in increasing biodiversity and improving ecosystem services worldwide.
Legal win offers hope of a new era for beavers and farmers
Trees for Life
The rewilding charity claimed the Government’s nature agency NatureScot was breaking the law by failing to make the killing of endangered wild beavers a last resort when they need managing.
Trees for Life’s court challenge to the Scottish Government’s offered new hope for a new era that benefits nature, climate action and farmers. The ruling by Lady Carmichael confirmed that all previously licensed killings of beavers authorised by NatureScot have been unlawful and have been revoked
Making Beavers Mainstream
Scotland The Big Picture
“In one direction, [a beavers] future looks bright, with the potential for moving beavers within Scotland to enable a greater and quicker expansion of its range, bringing their ecological benefits to more wildlife and people. The course we’re currently on looks bleaker,”
“A shift in policy is urgently needed, particularly when there’s so much suitable habitat and a growing number of forward-thinking landowners, who would love to have these aquatic engineers working their magic on their land, breathing new life into rivers, lochs, wetland and woodland.”
Feel we’re missing something? Of course, we are! There are a fantastic amount of resources out there relating to beaver ecology, fiction and scientific studies. If you have some beaver literature you believe should be in the spotlight, please do get in touch! We would love to add to this resource to benefit as many beaver believers as possible.