This story is written by Director of Conservation Cory Christopher. An excerpt of this article is also featured in the August 5, 2026, e-newsletter, Now in Nature.
New bed & breakfast attracting wild crowds!
One of the metrics we look for to determine if our land management practices are working is the appearance of new species, especially those that favor higher quality habitats. It is with this in mind that I want to share some exciting news with you.
We’ve recently spotted a few new species at Rowe Woods, all seen foraging around a beaver lodge in one of our wetlands. What makes this even more impressive is that the beaver family deserves most of the credit for creating such an attractive destination for other animals. In my mind, I’m thinking of Fawlty Towers, but with wildlife.
It started about 6 or 7 years ago when the stream that fed the wetland became blocked by fallen trees. This caused a section of the stream bank to collapse, and the inlet to the wetland disappeared. Even after removing the fallen trees, the wetland was still physically separated from the stream. It remained this way for several years because the only affordable solution we had at the time was to “wait and see”. After all, we knew that streams naturally change their flow and wetlands periodically dry up. Nature tends to know what she’s doing. So, we continued to monitor the area and organized regular stream clean-ups to get rid of litter that occasionally washed in, but otherwise, we just kept a close eye on it.
And then, not long after the pandemic, a bachelor beaver moved in, and we fondly named him Buddy. I can’t say what Buddy saw in the area that compelled him to stick around and start his own business, but he soon built a lodge and dam in precisely the location needed to re-fill the wetland. Within 2 years, he met his mate (Belinda) and now they have at least 1 kit (Lil’Biggie). They have built a lovely home with an in-ground pool (no HOA fees), fortified their dam, and are welcoming guests to their BB&B (Beaver Bed & Breakfast).
Their work has led to several new species for us.
We’ve now seen a river otter (Lontra canadensis) on several camera trap videos, foraging excitedly on top of the dam. Was it the continental pescatarian breakfast buffet that drew him in or the waterfront view?
Even more secretive than the otter, we recorded an American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) lurking along the margins of the pool. Bitterns are known to prefer high-quality wetlands, especially those free of invasive thickets. In my mind, the Bittern has recently been at the center of some salacious wildlife controversy and needed a silent retreat center to recover. He was just so sneaky. Who’s to say? The beavers aren’t talking (they’re low key rude, to be honest.)
A Wood Duck family (Aix sponsa) has also established residency in the beaver’s pool. I know for a fact that they are nesting in a nearby tree cavity, as Wood Ducks do, so I can’t say if they are official guests of the BB&B or if they’re just sneaking into the pool. Similarly, we spotted a Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla) in the same area, busily hopping along the muddy dam wall. Waterthrushes also prefer high-quality wetlands, and I reckon this one built a nest inside the brush piles the beavers made to create the dam. Maybe it’s a squatter?
Regardless, our plan is to continue monitoring the area for new species, and we plan to share new sightings when they occur. I’m excited to see how the BB&B changes over time. I’d like to think that word is getting around the wildlife community about it, and I hope the rodential proprietors continue to expand their facility. After all, having a nice dam hotel is critical for the successful growth of any community.
