I had the fantastic opportunity to join Ben Morris, Senior Field Officer at the Beaver Trust, and a passionate team of local volunteers to explore how beavers are thriving in this stunning landscape.

Did you know? The River Stour is home to the largest population of wild beavers in all of England! These remarkable creatures have been making a comeback here for the past 10-20 years, and you can even spot them right in the heart of Canterbury. In 2023, a survey by Natural England uncovered at least 51 beaver territories along the River Stour, with around 3-4 beavers per territory.

We set off on a picturesque walk along a popular footpath next to the river, hoping to catch a glimpse of these elusive animals. Surprisingly, the signs they leave behind are incredibly subtle—if you didn’t know what to look for, you’d never guess that beavers are so busy in this area. In fact, while people were out enjoying the early spring sunshine, canoeing down the river or picnicking on the banks, they had no idea what was happening just out of sight!

After a little practice, we started spotting the telltale signs of beavers at work. We discovered where they’d been feasting on wind-blown willows and noticed a well-worn path between the river and a nearby ditch. There, we uncovered trail signs and footprints that revealed their nocturnal adventures.

It was an unforgettable experience to witness how these incredible creatures are quietly and unobtrusively living along the Stour, and I can’t wait to share more about their journey back to our landscapes!