May 8th – 6:009m – 8:00pm – Tonight was almost a repeat of last night and again no baby was seen out of the bank hole. The adult beavers plus Jr. were out and about swimming to the secondary dam and taking some willow back to their special places along the bank near the footbridge. Again we think there were four beavers spotted but hard to tell when they all don’t come out together.HP, JR, LB
May 7th – 6:00pm – 8:00pm – This was a very busy beaver sighting evening. It did take awhile before the beavers started coming down from the primary dam area. While we waited, we saw a duck with her 6 tiny babies come swimming up and they walked over the dam. They returned some time later and went up and over and swam back up towards the primary. Once the beavers started coming down, we lost track of how many we saw. At least three adults were seen along with Jr. Others thought that there were four adults seen plus Jr. They continued to swim back and forth and entertained us until we left.HP,JR,CR,LB
May 6th – 6:00pm – The first sighting was of a beaver up above the primary dam. Two beavers kept the watchers busy going back and forth between the primary dam and the Creek Monkey. One was seen several times up on the bank eating. Both were very large beavers. Moved down to the secondary dam in hopes of seeing the new kit, which never did make another appearance, while we were there. Three or maybe it could have been four large beavers came down from the primary at different times. Once there were two beavers swimming around by the dam together. One beaver was seen doing some mudding on the dam and checking it out. It could have been Jr. but not certain as it was large. A beaver crossed over the dam and swam down towards the railroad bridge. The others swam back up towards the primary. Several people, would were waiting for the train to Portland, stopped by to see what was going on and were very luck to see beavers. CR,LB
May 5th – 6:30pm – One of the most exciting beaver watching nights in many years. Jr. was out around 6:30. He checked the secondary dam and did some mudding before swimming off. Soon after an adult beaver appeared and it seemed to be one of the 2010 kits. Another big beaver came down from the primary dam and climbed up on the bank near the Marina Vista bridge. It soon came down and went straight to the bank hole. Jr. came out again and then another large beaver came down and it seemed something was on its’ back. They went into the bank hole. While watching all the activity, suddenly a very small kit came out from the bank hole. It swam for a minute and then dove down. This is the earliest that a kit has been seen. There’s a new addition to the Martinez beaver family. Congratulations! HP, JR, JO
May 1st – 5:00am – There was a very high tide that covered the secondary dam. Some ducks were swimming over the dam and a big beaver near the dam gave a big tail slap. Another beaver was working on the bank lodge near the footbridge. It was carrying wood and putting mud on the lodge area. A hummingbird was spotted hovering over the dam and a mocking bird was in the cottonwood tree near the bank lodge.HP
April 30th – 7:25pm – This was the first sighting of beavers in the evenings. They seem to be back on their summer schedule. Two beavers came out near the filter by the primary dam. They continued to swim near the dam and when the observer moved she was given a big tail slap. JO
April 23rd – 5:30am – Three beavers were seen this morning in the early light. Dad was seen very early and he slowly swam up to the bank hole by the footbridge and went inside. Jr. came out next and worked on the dam for some time before going over the dam to meet another beaver coming home. He tried to nuzzle the other beaver and they then both dove under the water. The secondary dam is really looking great.HP, JR
April 7th – 6:55am – Three beavers were seen this morning near the secondary dam. One of the beavers was definitely junior. There was a cut 8 foot long branch on the dam with beaver gnawed marks. A little beaver came over the secondary and appeared to be working on the dam, then yanked that branch off the dam and swam away with it, dragging it into the bank hole by the foot bridge. HP JR
April 5th – 5:45am - Three beavers were seen this morning. One beaver was seen mudding the entrance to the bank hole by the bridge, one was coming from downstream over the secondary dam, and one (little one) was on the bank by the den near the footbridge, trying to get tasty brush. He came way out up the side and then slid plop back in the water. Two beavers touched noses and then one swam upstream.HP
March 30th – early morning – One large beaver came over the secondary dam and hung out in the cove for some time. Looked like it could have been Dad. He then headed towards the primary dam.JR
March 23rd – 6:00am – A beaver was seen mudding on the secondary dam and also excavating the entrance to a bank hole. A coyote and a rooster were heard.HP
March 13th – 7:30am – Lots of work has been done on the secondary dam in the recent days. One beaver was seen crossing over the secondary and then swimming on down to the primary dam. The little beaver also came over the secondary dam and then spent some time mudding the dam before climbing up on a log near by and checking things out.HP
March 11th – 6:00am – The secondary dam is looking great. It finally has been worked on and it now goes across from one bank to the other bank. One beaver was seen near by with a stick in its’ mouth that probably was going to end up added to the dam.JR
March 6th – early morning – This was reported by members of Worth A Dam, who went down to check the dam sites after the nights rain. ‘No beavers, dams topped, lots of water and TWO FOLKS FROM BARCELONA! She is studying marmots in the Pyrenes.’ They had read about the Martinez Beavers on the website.HP, JR
February 23rd – 6:15am – Jr. and a large beaver were spotted working on the primary dam this morning. Good news as it has been awhile since seeing two beavers together.JR
February 18th – 6:30am – One large beaver was seen at the annex area and then going from the lodge to the dam.There were little beaver movements also seen at the annex. HP
January 20th – 12:00 am – Hooded merganser pair seen in beaver pond.
January 16th – 6:30am – Jr. was seen going into the old lodge. Saw some more ripples and then Jr. appeared again. We have only had one other sighting of him since the last storm washed out the primary and secondary dam. Work has been seen on these dams especially the secondary and now further work on the third dam.JR
June 9th 2010 – Two new Kits swimming between the old and new lodge at 6:00 am. Hooray! HP
June 4th – Mom was seen cruising around the main dam at 8:00 PM. She swam up stream to get a willow branch, which she took back to the lodge. No other beavers were seen at that time. LK
June 2nd – A yearling was seen this morning around 6:30 AM near the annex and around the old lodge. Haven’t seen the yearlings for quite a while so it seems we at least have one still around. HP
June 1st – Mom was seen near the primary dam at 8:00 PM. Soon after another beaver crossed over the dam with a willow branch heading towards the lodge. Also seen were two Mallards. JO
May 31st, Mom bringing back a willow branch from the primary dam at 8:30 PM and heading towards the lodge. She was last sighted sitting on the left bank eating some of the willow. LB & LK
May 30th, Mom and Dad seen 8:00 pm. CR
April 14th, 2010 8:45 pm Dad and yearling. Barn Owl pair. Mother mallard with 7 new ducklings and Mother mallard with 3 older ducklings. Cormorant. Song sparrow pair.
March 18th, 2010 7:15 Mom coming home carrying branch
February 22, 2010 6:45:Dad carrying tree over second dam.Mom and two yearlings
January 23, 2010 7:00 am:
Juvenile otter near secondary dam
January 11th, 2010 6:45:
2 yearlings and Mom
January 10, 2010:
Green Heron eating tule perch
December 24th, 2009
Mom filmed at secondary dam, eating tulles. Lots of chewing going on at the primary day. Great and Snowy egret.
jr
Be part of the Worth A Dam team! Let us know about any recent beaver, muskrat, bird or otter sightings by posting a comment here or emailing mtzbeavers@gmail.com.
You don’t have to be an expert, just tell us whatever you saw and we’ll try and figure it out.
Ryan says 2-15-11
my boyfriend and i decided to take a valentine’s day adventure from san francisco despite the rain and got lucky. just as we were getting impatient, we saw a critter pop its head above the water andheadtothe dam! it was around 7:30-8pm, he or she hopped up on top of the dam andwassnackingonsomething. we tried to get a better look with a flashlight (not smart) and scared the beaver away, but after a short walk we checked back and were surprised to see two beavers! can’t wait to come back when the daylight hours are longer!
To Whom It May Concern,
Thank you to each and every one of you that participated in any capacity to save the Beavers. I have worked and lived in Walnut Creek for many years. I never had a reason to visit Martinez other than business or visit a friend. This evening my wife went out with friends so I thought it would be fun to visit my friend Kevin Bacon who lives in Martinez. My daughters joined me on the outing. After eating at Burlington’s(spell?) we visited the beavers and met several very nice people. I wanted to take the time to thank you for affording my family and I the opportunity of seeing animals in the wild. My daughters were able to walk away with a touch of nature and an experience that will last a life time. What a nice town you have. Again, thank you.
December 12th, 2008 at 12:46 am e
I’ve recently been called to jury duty in Martinez. Can’t wait because I’ll be real early and try to catch a glimpse of the little critters! What an amazing thing to see. Thanks for this site and all the information.
Monty
December 17th, 2008 at 6:14 pm e
The whole family has been seen in the last few days by a very diligent lover and videographer of the beavers. I’m so happy I’m dancing in the streets!!
December 17th, 2008 at 11:42 pm e