Escot Park beavers
Bringing back the European beaver to the UK, and to the South West in particular, is a conservation cause that Escot's John-Michael Kennaway has embraced with enthusiasm. The River Tale runs through the heart of the Escot Estate (owned by the Kennaways for a couple of centuries) and its valley is already the site of some important and exciting conservation programmes. These include the restoration of the valley's water meadows and the re-introduction to the area of the endangered water vole.
Beavers at Escot
A two acre enclosure has been created encircling ponds, woodland & a section of stream within Escot Park, to home a pair of unrelated wild caught Bavarian beavers, born in the Spring of 2006. They set up home in the bank of one of the ponds & they have a maternity lodge so hopefully young beavers will emerge in summer 2008. Also in 2008 they built what is probably the first beaver dam in the south west for 800 years, if not the whole of England!
How to get to Escot
Escot Park lies just off the A30, between Exeter and Honiton. If you are coming from Exeter, leave athe A30 at Patteson's Cross Junction for Fairmile and follow the signs. If you are coming from Honiton, leave the A30 at the Iron Bridge exit, follow directions for Fairmile and then look for the signs.
Visit the beavers
Individuals & small groups are invited to evening beaver-watch sessions at which these largely nocturnal animals provide exciting encounters of what was once a common sight throughout Europe.
If you would like to book a visit, or sponsor the beavers & follow their progress, please contact Escot on 01404 822188 or email info@escot-devon.co.uk. www.escot-devon.co.uk/
Photos
Photos courtesy of Ben Lee Photo Imagery; For further information about Ben Lee Photo Imagery, call 07740 984089 or email bkl@benleephoto-imagery.co.uk.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
