ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2021
NORTH AMERICAN BEAVERS
North American Beaver specimen
Henry L. Ferguson Museum Collection
We know that beavers inhabited Fishers Island before European settlement because their bones have been found on island by archaeologists digging in Indian shell middens. Since at least the 1990s, beavers have once again started coming to the island, swimming here from the mainland at least a few times each decade. However, they have never established a foothold here (toothhold?) for we lack moving water and streams suitable for creating dams. The following images illustrate several beaver visitations to Fishers Island in the 1990s and 2010s.
Dick Baker examining work of a beaver, Barlow Pond
1994
Photograph by Ed Horning. Museum Collection
The work of a beaver at Barlow Pond
1994
Photograph by Ed Horning. Museum Collection
Tree ready to topple after major gnawing by beaver, Barlow Pond
1994
Photograph by Ed Horning. Museum Collection
Beaver-toppled trees, Barlow Pond
1994
Photograph by Ed Horning. Museum Collection
Beaver swimming across Duck Pond
1995
Photograph by Ed Horning. Museum Collection
Willow trees downed by beaver, Duck Pond
1995
Photograph by Ed Horning. Museum Collection
Dead Beaver at Chocomount Cove Sanctuary Beach, north shore of Fishers Island
April 4, 2021
Photograph by Lydia Doucette
Besides the ones that successfully make the swim across Fishers Island Sound to our shores, there are presumably many more that aren’t successful.
Beaver on road to Race Point
April 2019
Photograph by Stephanie Hall
Beaver approaching Race Point with Race Rock Light in background
April 2019
Photograph by Stephanie Hall
Wildlife biologist Mike Bottini, who has been tracking animal migration to Long Island, believes that some river otters, beavers, and coyotes are swimming from the Connecticut/Rhode Island mainland and traveling to Long Island with stopovers on Fishers Island, Great Gull, and Plum Island en route to Orient and environs. It does seem likely that this beaver is headed for the waters off Race Point.
Decision time for Beaver at the Gatehouse
Video courtesy of Jim Reid
Beaver Approaching Race Point
April 4, 2019
Video courtesy of Stephanie Hall
Annual exhibition sponsored by ALTUS Partners & CHUBB
