In my opinion National Geographic has not created any documentaries better than Mr. Asselin's work. It is like he makes himself invisible in the outdoors around wildlife. He is a wildlife magnet. His drone work is wonderful and his editing and story lines are , I think, worthy of wider recognition. Someone nominate him for an award for his body of work.
Mr. Asselin, Former beaver trapper here. This is quite possibly THE most comprehensive and detailed nature documentary series I have ever seen! Not only on the American Beaver and it's contributions to the environment but also in comparison to any documentary I have ever seen. Sir David Attenborough should take some lessons from you! (Yes, I realize that he is more of a narrator than a documentary film maker, but you REALLY bring it ALL together!!) Perhaps I might pedantically criticize your story-boarding (because, of course, I am the authority on EVERYTHING!) but, in truth, I was blown away by the depth and detail you brought with your filmography, exposition and overall context to this series! Thank you for creating and posting this content! Absolutely life altering!! Thank You!!! If I may request ONE favor? Please create a playlist of these five episodes on your channel so that I may share them in their entirety with my friends and family? As of now, I am sending out all five links in emails to whomever I feel would appreciate this.
Hi Big_Un ... thanks very much for that, although now my head won't fit in my hat anymore. Let's not be too quick to take anything away from Sir David, he's got a long lifetime of accomplishments to be very proud of, and I wouldn't be willing do some of the things he's done, or even go to some of the places he's been! Your request for a playlist is a great idea, I should have thought of that. The beaver pond series has been in the "Wildlife of New England" playlist along with other films, but not in its own separate list. But now it has its own playlist at ua-cam.com/play/PL-cKOnYB94s5lpdFjznboFN-WYV-YObc1.html. Thank you for watching, and for sharing the films with others! -Ray
I have watched this five times and I learn something new every time. And it's the best way to be reminded that the world is a beautiful place when I can't be at a beaver pond in real life! AMAZING
Thank you for showing the world beavers and their water kingdoms. Millions more beavers needed in the west and all over the world. They can help us save and restore our human damaged planet.
@@NewEnglandForests , It saddened me to see a dead beaver on the road last week adjacent to a couple of swampy ponds, one on each side of Route 66. Perhaps we need the state to put up "Beaver Crossing" signs in such places as a warning to people to be on the lookout for these interesting and ecologically important animals .
Wow so very Interesting! You put National Geo and PBS Nature to shame and your underwater photography is the best I have ever seen! Thank you for sharing your art with us!
This is truly amazing. Very soothing, relaxing and inspiring to watch. Exactly what I needed after a long and stressful week at work. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome video and wishing you the best only, my dear friend. :)
As an Aussie it was a delight to see these, all 5, and listen to such a well documented series. I found it totally informative and so relaxing listening to your calm voice and concise information. I’ll be telling others and I’ll be watching them again. Looooved them.
This has been just so enlightening! Lived in Massachusetts all my life, didn't know half of this. Thank you! Wonderful series, everyone in New England should watch and learn from these.
The shots of fall colors are so pretty. I lived a couple years in the tropics, and the thing I missed most was the changing seasons. I very quickly got tired of nonstop, year-round summer.
I live in New Hampshire and the beavers have moved in , in force. Lots chewing on quaking aspens and other activities. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by creatures of the forest. Lots of otters as well. And turkeys and bears..
I was whispering "awesome" to myself within the first sixty seconds! Well done. I do believe I will take a stroll out to my local beaver pond first thing tomorrow morning.
without a doubt this was one of the most catching documentary series i have seen so far. no intention ti be offensive but i like the "simple" way you are doing it without any effects just for show. the variety of species shown is amazing. great work!
Thank you for this program and showing how vital the beavers have been in developing our farmlands, forests and many of the areas we use over time. I'm glad Man was able to re-introduce the beaver to areas they are needed.
I have absolutely loved watching this well-research and filmed documentary series. I've learned so much about the ecological impact of these amazing animals and how many other species are affected by them creating their own habitat. Thanks you so much for making these documentaries!
I really love your Beaver Pond Wildlife series! 🥰🥰🥰Amazing and lovely animals! Excellent camera work and footage,the slow narrative with a tingle of humour) Pleasant music.. Very calming and enjoyable atmosphere. Kind of meditation for me) Thank you so much!
Totally forgot to comment on this one, but my husband and I and our extended families absolutely loved this series, and can't thank you enough for all your hard work in getting this amazing footage. we are sorely lacking for nature docs of this caliber that give attention to each individual animal. We also loved all the back history on the beaver and the fur trade. thank you so much! We're greatly looking forward to your next video!
This is an awesome series, so educational, and it demonstrates how wonderful and beautiful nature is when humans don’t interfere with it! It benefits the planet and our quality of life.
Thank you so much for this series. I’ve watched each episode more times than I can count. I’m in NE Ontario and just purchased 5 that abuts a beautiful beaver pond. It’s such a beautiful location and I’ve learned so much thanks to this series. You are very talented and informative. Thank you.
I loved this whole series. Wonderfully done and narrated. I really appreciate the details and descriptions of so many animals, insects, birds and reptiles. It was also very calming and peaceful to watch and listen too.
Very pleased to see another episode "aired". Have enjoyed the entire New England Forest series, Thank you so much for creating this content. I have the impression that your camera and editing techniques are improving with each episode. Hearing a clinking @ 14:58 while the beaver shakes, is this a tagged beaver or am I just imagining the clinking?
Hi Joseph.. your impression of improving techniques is accurate. There are a lot of technical challenges to overcome, and like anyone else, I'm learning as I go. Photography is one thing, but capturing good audio is a whole other pursuit that many don't appreciate until they try to do it (we often don't even notice overhead aircraft or distant highway sounds until we play back recordings at home). And then there's video and audio editing... I found these to be daunting technologies to learn and understand, and costly to acquire capable equipment. So yes, my skills have evolved, and I cringe when I watch and listen to my older work; I'd love to re-do many of them, but you can't update a UA-cam upload with a new version, you have to delete and replace; but then you lose all the comments and statistics that have accumulated. Re the clinking sound... I don't hear that, but I've lost a lot of my higher-frequency hearing ability. I suspect you're hearing the sound of ice breaking; that's what I hear. -Ray
@@NewEnglandForests Ray. Thank you for such a thorough reply. I have enjoyed and have looked forward to the series. Your calm and concise narration informs and allows contemplation. I watch in wonder at the number of hours/ days you've spent observing, filming and editing. As to you're cringe, bah, the content speaks for itself. Also, the sound I noted earlier appears @ 23:11 as well, (I do watch using headphones) I am wondering now if it could be the beavers teeth, sounds a bit like dog tags. Thanks again.
Love this series & hope to see more documentaries from y'all! Definitely throwing a Beaver Pond Wildlife watch party with my friends now that the whole thing is out, should be a real rager 🤘
I just want to say: I’ve been following your channel, and this series, and (especially this latest) this is some of the best TV I’ve seen in decades (like the Marty Staffer of years gone by). Thank you SO much for doing this! My only hope is that this can inspire the younger generations to appreciate this incredibly ecosystem and space!!
Absolutely beautiful. I love this series. Thank you for making this, thank you for all the hard work, thank you for putting this out into the world. Thank you.
Hmmm... you fall asleep to it, huh? Guess they weren't kidding when they said I'm a great cure for insomnia. Oh well. Wait till you see the oak film coming soon... you may go comatose.
@@NewEnglandForests haha yes i mean its easier to fall asleep to ur calm voice narrating..plus my pond unfortunately isnt that big for beavers ect.but plenty of turtles n peepers..no if u cant just sit back n not be hung up with todays bs n cellphones ect..n you start to appreciate everything nature brings!n i enjoy hearing the annoying blue jays n crows screeching over cars n man!lol great job!Springfield Mass has most deff changed since those fur days ha?!scary!
It hurts my heart and head to think of think of millions upon millions of these harmless , beneficial, and beautiful creatures were killed out of greed and ignorance.
Awesome content Simply outstanding I have waited for beaver to come here on my 21 acres now for nearly 40 years in central Maine and now have about 6 beaver ponds and am trying to establish the world's first no kill wild beaver farm I would like to outlaw the killing of beaver Nationwide starting with Maine
So many poachers in this area makes it all a bit disheartening and the current laws give landowners no right to protect their beaver A violation of our right to privacy according to the USA constitution
I live on the coast in Maine in a developed marsh area near a river, lakes and a bay. The yard is surrounded by drainages and vernal pools. I have captured footage of an array of wildlife passing thru on trail cameras but the quality pales in comparison.
I was cheating and watching another beaver documentary. I guess it was a short one, because I heard your voice when I came back to the room 25-30 minutes later. 😂
You have a keen eye... the black birch was on a slope and had been felled by beavers, but the top didn't fall all the way to the ground. The top branches were hanging down, and were blocking a seldom-used footpath along the stream. Someone cut a few of the small branches, apparently with a hand saw, to clear the way.
tbh i never knew, beaver would abandon their pond when food is out of supply. i'd rather thought there is such a high competetition for adequate habitats that an abandoned pond would be taken over by new families so the dam has no chance to rot and or collapse.
Like all other animals, beavers must have food, so yes, when they've exhausted the supply of food trees within range around the pond, they'll abandon the site. They may still have an adequate summer food supply of green, herbaceous plants, but to survive the winter they must be able to build a cache of tree branches (with edible bark) near their lodge that they can access and feed on throughout the winter. They have no problem building a dam, so maintaining an existing one is not a great concern if food isn't available. Once the pond is abandoned and eventually drains, the wet meadow habitat that replaces it will soon sprout new trees that typically are of species that will once again attract beavers in a matter of years. In the meantime, it's habitat that is highly attractive for any number of other animal species.
@@NewEnglandForests yh it m akes nense. perhaps was considering too much the german siutation, where habitat is sich a competetive issue, that there will be no abandoned habitat at all. however, the winters ten dto be pretty mild in the last years so maybe others factors are on the table here
@@NewEnglandForests , for a mammal other than whales and dolphins, that's incredible. I don't know if seals can function that long underwater on just one breath. Beavers must have a slow metabolism, or perhaps they can slow their own heartrate.
@@goodun2974Beaver lungs are incredible things! Humans have an oxygen to carbon-dioxide exchange rate of around 15-20%. For beavers, that number is 75%. Their lungs are four to five times more efficient than our lungs. On top of that, their lungs are large in comparison to their overall body size. Without any effort, they can stay under water for 15 minutes while also swimming for a distance of half a mile at the same time. It's all about the size of their lungs and the superior oxygen exchange in their blood from vastly more efficient lungs. They navigate under water using their whiskers and detecting vibration in the water. Their eyesight under water is very short range. It's better on land, but their eyesight is not their best sense, but it is believed that they see in colour and is something they use in choosing a good tree for felling. Their best sense is smell. They can recognise other beavers and even humans they have met years before by their smell. While underwater they have little valves in their ears which close automatically, but they also have very sensitive hearing so they can detect vibrations in the water that may signal a predator approaching. There is a third eyelid membrane which comes down to protect their eyes. And most brilliantly, they have what can best be described as inner lips and valve mechanism in the throat which means they can eat under water. They take in vegetation with the inner lips closed. Close the outer mouth, open the inner lips (flaps) to chew while also closing off the throat. When ready to swallow, they keep the outer mouth closed, the inner lips closed, open the throat and swallow. The inner lips or flaps are also closed when they gnaw down trees, stopping the wood chippings getting into their mouth and throat. They are, quite simply, the most incredible creatures.
@@snowysnowyriver wow, that was great bonus info! just incredible how Nature and the cosmos creates unimaginable richness yet practicality. Long live the beaver and biodiversity. Thank you so much for sharing those great details.
Suggestion: check aerial/satellite views of your area on Google (or other) maps. Look for forests with streams and wetlands in relatively level bottomlands (not steeper slopes), and go for a walk there. You're quite likely to find signs of beavers being there. And even if they're not, you'll likely see other very interesting things. Take your time, and stop to examine small details. A walk in such places is always rewarding for me.
@@NewEnglandForests That's a great answer. It's like a fisherman will never share his best spots, especially on the web. You have to get out there yourself, spend time, try and fail many times until you find good places. I salute you good sir.
@@NewEnglandForests that makes sense! Thank you. I'v listened to this with phone n my pocket as i clean. And tho i can't see i'm still blessed! Good job.👍🏻
You’re welcome, I hope some of this info enhances your enjoyment of the outdoors. I learn something new and interesting every time I head into the woods. -Ray
Around 29:15, you show a dark brown mustelid and refer to it as a fisher. The small ears and overall body size should make this a mink, though, instead of a fisher.
This one was a tough call. I too thought it was a mink while filming it, and my cohort thought fisher. After studying the footage more closely on a large computer screen, I came to the conclusion that it was a fisher. There is no white patch under the chin, which a mink would likely have. The ears aren’t easy to see, but aren’t that small. The tail is quite bushy, and the body seems heavier/bulkier than the mink I’ve seen here. Also, I had seen fresh fisher tracks in snow shortly before seeing this animal; that alone proves nothing, but is another piece of evidence. You could be right, but I’ll stick with fisher. Either way, it’s always a treat to see these wild weasels.
@@NewEnglandForests I've seen quite a few mink, and to me this looks like a fairly chunky looking one with probably a very small white patch (I think you can see the tiny bit of white at exactly 29:16). I've definitely seen dark, chunky mink like this in the winter before. They seem to be more pale and skinny in summer. However, I've never seen a fisher in person, so I could be biased towards the mustelid I've got more experience with. I definitely agree about them being a treat though :) they're all very fun to watch.
In my opinion National Geographic has not created any documentaries better than Mr. Asselin's work. It is like he makes himself invisible in the outdoors around wildlife. He is a wildlife magnet. His drone work is wonderful and his editing and story lines are , I think, worthy of wider recognition. Someone nominate him for an award for his body of work.
Will... where do I send the check? 😁
Got that right
Yes ma'am to get out there who have not heard back yet but will also have have been working in an effort into my head in honor to get out there
I agree
Darn tootin’!!!
Mr. Asselin, Former beaver trapper here. This is quite possibly THE most comprehensive and detailed nature documentary series I have ever seen! Not only on the American Beaver and it's contributions to the environment but also in comparison to any documentary I have ever seen. Sir David Attenborough should take some lessons from you! (Yes, I realize that he is more of a narrator than a documentary film maker, but you REALLY bring it ALL together!!) Perhaps I might pedantically criticize your story-boarding (because, of course, I am the authority on EVERYTHING!) but, in truth, I was blown away by the depth and detail you brought with your filmography, exposition and overall context to this series! Thank you for creating and posting this content! Absolutely life altering!! Thank You!!!
If I may request ONE favor? Please create a playlist of these five episodes on your channel so that I may share them in their entirety with my friends and family? As of now, I am sending out all five links in emails to whomever I feel would appreciate this.
Hi Big_Un ... thanks very much for that, although now my head won't fit in my hat anymore. Let's not be too quick to take anything away from Sir David, he's got a long lifetime of accomplishments to be very proud of, and I wouldn't be willing do some of the things he's done, or even go to some of the places he's been!
Your request for a playlist is a great idea, I should have thought of that. The beaver pond series has been in the "Wildlife of New England" playlist along with other films, but not in its own separate list. But now it has its own playlist at ua-cam.com/play/PL-cKOnYB94s5lpdFjznboFN-WYV-YObc1.html.
Thank you for watching, and for sharing the films with others!
-Ray
I have watched this five times and I learn something new every time. And it's the best way to be reminded that the world is a beautiful place when I can't be at a beaver pond in real life! AMAZING
Thank you for showing the world beavers and their water kingdoms. Millions more beavers needed in the west and all over the world. They can help us save and restore our human damaged planet.
I agree, Sue. I can’t think of any other animal that has a greater beneficial impact on our environment.
@@NewEnglandForests , It saddened me to see a dead beaver on the road last week adjacent to a couple of swampy ponds, one on each side of Route 66. Perhaps we need the state to put up "Beaver Crossing" signs in such places as a warning to people to be on the lookout for these interesting and ecologically important animals .
Wow so very Interesting! You put National Geo and PBS Nature to shame and your underwater photography is the best I have ever seen! Thank you for sharing your art with us!
Thanks very much… now my hat is too small!
Much deserved praise my friend, I'll get you a new hat..lol@@NewEnglandForests
Ray, you've done it again!
Hope we'll see more about beaver ponds in your channel in the future.
Beaver pond series is great. Diversity of animals in the habitat is fascinating
Beautiful series. Thank you so much. Narration is top notch and educational value high and is very enjoyable.
i really like beavers
Totally underrated animals
I absolutely love this whole Beaver Pond series, as well as the whole channel. Well done all around.
Hurray! .. I literally said out loud... when number 5 popped up... now I have to rewind
This is truly amazing. Very soothing, relaxing and inspiring to watch. Exactly what I needed after a long and stressful week at work. Thank you so much for sharing this awesome video and wishing you the best only, my dear friend. :)
Binge watching at it's finest!
As an Aussie it was a delight to see these, all 5, and listen to such a well documented series. I found it totally informative and so relaxing listening to your calm voice and concise information. I’ll be telling others and I’ll be watching them again. Looooved them.
This has been just so enlightening! Lived in Massachusetts all my life, didn't know half of this. Thank you! Wonderful series, everyone in New England should watch and learn from these.
The shots of fall colors are so pretty. I lived a couple years in the tropics, and the thing I missed most was the changing seasons. I very quickly got tired of nonstop, year-round summer.
I live in New Hampshire and the beavers have moved in , in force. Lots chewing on quaking aspens and other activities. I feel fortunate to be surrounded by creatures of the forest. Lots of otters as well. And turkeys and bears..
I was whispering "awesome" to myself within the first sixty seconds! Well done. I do believe I will take a stroll out to my local beaver pond first thing tomorrow morning.
I'm recommending this to everyone. Never seen footage of a chipmunk hunting before. I didn't know they evem did that. So cool
without a doubt this was one of the most catching documentary series i have seen so far. no intention ti be offensive but i like the "simple" way you are doing it without any effects just for show. the variety of species shown is amazing. great work!
Thank you for each and every moment of this series. It means so much to me.
This is the best documentary series on UA-cam!! 😊 Thank you for posting!
Outstanding series
Thank you!
Please upvote these videos. He deserves for these wonderful videos to grow!
Thank you for this program and showing how vital the beavers have been in developing our farmlands, forests and many of the areas we use over time. I'm glad Man was able to re-introduce the beaver to areas they are needed.
really love this series, watched it multiple times now
Amazing photography! I have learned so much from this series! Thank you for your fantastic work! This is a really great series!!!!
One of those beavers passes gas at 18:43 and now I can say I've heard everything on youtube. (in an awesome video!)
I have absolutely loved watching this well-research and filmed documentary series. I've learned so much about the ecological impact of these amazing animals and how many other species are affected by them creating their own habitat. Thanks you so much for making these documentaries!
massive thanks for this amazing series !
I really love your Beaver Pond Wildlife series! 🥰🥰🥰Amazing and lovely animals! Excellent camera work and footage,the slow narrative with a tingle of humour) Pleasant music.. Very calming and enjoyable atmosphere. Kind of meditation for me) Thank you so much!
This has been such a great series
Totally forgot to comment on this one, but my husband and I and our extended families absolutely loved this series, and can't thank you enough for all your hard work in getting this amazing footage. we are sorely lacking for nature docs of this caliber that give attention to each individual animal. We also loved all the back history on the beaver and the fur trade. thank you so much! We're greatly looking forward to your next video!
Thank you Colleen, I appreciate that! There’s more coming.
-Ray
This has been a fantastic series, thank you so much
These videos are amazing, thank you!
This is an awesome series, so educational, and it demonstrates how wonderful and beautiful nature is when humans don’t interfere with it!
It benefits the planet and our quality of life.
Amazingly beautiful photography...thank you so much for sharing...from subtropical Australia..
First class content - videography and narration. Thank you!
Thanks Glenn!
Thank you so much for this series. I’ve watched each episode more times than I can count. I’m in NE Ontario and just purchased 5 that abuts a beautiful beaver pond. It’s such a beautiful location and I’ve learned so much thanks to this series. You are very talented and informative. Thank you.
While worth the wait. Thank you.
I loved this whole series. Wonderfully done and narrated. I really appreciate the details and descriptions of so many animals, insects, birds and reptiles. It was also very calming and peaceful to watch and listen too.
So good, I wish there were more!
Hi Erwin, thank you! We're currently working on the salamanders of New England, hopefully that will interest you.
-Ray
Very pleased to see another episode "aired". Have enjoyed the entire New England Forest series, Thank you so much for creating this content. I have the impression that your camera and editing techniques are improving with each episode. Hearing a clinking @ 14:58 while the beaver shakes, is this a tagged beaver or am I just imagining the clinking?
Hi Joseph.. your impression of improving techniques is accurate. There are a lot of technical challenges to overcome, and like anyone else, I'm learning as I go. Photography is one thing, but capturing good audio is a whole other pursuit that many don't appreciate until they try to do it (we often don't even notice overhead aircraft or distant highway sounds until we play back recordings at home). And then there's video and audio editing... I found these to be daunting technologies to learn and understand, and costly to acquire capable equipment. So yes, my skills have evolved, and I cringe when I watch and listen to my older work; I'd love to re-do many of them, but you can't update a UA-cam upload with a new version, you have to delete and replace; but then you lose all the comments and statistics that have accumulated.
Re the clinking sound... I don't hear that, but I've lost a lot of my higher-frequency hearing ability. I suspect you're hearing the sound of ice breaking; that's what I hear.
-Ray
@@NewEnglandForests Ray. Thank you for such a thorough reply. I have enjoyed and have looked forward to the series. Your calm and concise narration informs and allows contemplation. I watch in wonder at the number of hours/ days you've spent observing, filming and editing. As to you're cringe, bah, the content speaks for itself. Also, the sound I noted earlier appears @ 23:11 as well, (I do watch using headphones) I am wondering now if it could be the beavers teeth, sounds a bit like dog tags. Thanks again.
This was a great series of videos
UA-cam algorithm did me a real solid one on this channel.
Can’t wait for next installment. Been 5 months too long!
Just as I expected, this vidio was just as good as all the others. Thank you. I will be watching it several times
This series is a diamond in the rough. Hope to see much more. Nice work Ray!!
Thank you, that’s appreciated!
Fantastic series on beaver ponds in the North East. I loved this series and I thoroughly enjoy this UA-cam channel.
Love this series & hope to see more documentaries from y'all! Definitely throwing a Beaver Pond Wildlife watch party with my friends now that the whole thing is out, should be a real rager 🤘
A beautifully filmed and narrated series. Thank you.
Beautiful photography and narration. Well done. Thank you.
This is a wonderful video. My family really enjoyed it. Thank you so much 💞
Thank you Dawn!
I just want to say: I’ve been following your channel, and this series, and (especially this latest) this is some of the best TV I’ve seen in decades (like the Marty Staffer of years gone by). Thank you SO much for doing this! My only hope is that this can inspire the younger generations to appreciate this incredibly ecosystem and space!!
I love this.
This is some next level documentary, the footage and quality is amazing!
They are super cute hard worker animal big salute for there government to protect them 🙏
Beautiful and amazing camera angles.
Enjoyed this, very much.
Thank you...
The best part is that all we hear is nature and not the awful music.
I agree!
Great channel and video! Thank you 😊
Yeah can't wait to see it
Absolutely beautiful. I love this series. Thank you for making this, thank you for all the hard work, thank you for putting this out into the world. Thank you.
You have really turned by view of beavers around!
Thank you and congratulations for this series of brilliant videos
These videos don’t miss keep up great work!
We need NEW videos plz!i luv fallin asleep to this!living in NH its comfy to me!great job!beavers are so awesome!
Hmmm... you fall asleep to it, huh? Guess they weren't kidding when they said I'm a great cure for insomnia. Oh well. Wait till you see the oak film coming soon... you may go comatose.
@@NewEnglandForests haha yes i mean its easier to fall asleep to ur calm voice narrating..plus my pond unfortunately isnt that big for beavers ect.but plenty of turtles n peepers..no if u cant just sit back n not be hung up with todays bs n cellphones ect..n you start to appreciate everything nature brings!n i enjoy hearing the annoying blue jays n crows screeching over cars n man!lol great job!Springfield Mass has most deff changed since those fur days ha?!scary!
great video
YESSS. Best series. I'd watch this for every year.
Wonderful series
The return of the beaver king⭐🦫👑💫
Best one so far.
Been looking forward to part 5! Thank you for the great content 🙂
It hurts my heart and head to think of think of millions upon millions of these harmless , beneficial, and beautiful creatures were killed out of greed and ignorance.
Awesome content
Simply outstanding
I have waited for beaver to come here on my 21 acres now for nearly 40 years in central Maine and now have about 6 beaver ponds and am trying to establish the world's first no kill wild beaver farm
I would like to outlaw the killing of beaver Nationwide starting with Maine
So many poachers in this area makes it all a bit disheartening and the current laws give landowners no right to protect their beaver
A violation of our right to privacy according to the USA constitution
Excellent series! I am going to watch it again this year.
Great audio and video!
I live on the coast in Maine in a developed marsh area near a river, lakes and a bay. The yard is surrounded by drainages and vernal pools. I have captured footage of an array of wildlife passing thru on trail cameras but the quality pales in comparison.
Great work. Very soothing and educational.
beautiful
god i love beaver pond wildlife
OMG THERES AN OPOSSUM IN THIS ONE
@@briewhit1312 yup! @16:25
This is really good fanastic thanks
I was cheating and watching another beaver documentary. I guess it was a short one, because I heard your voice when I came back to the room 25-30 minutes later. 😂
Well, they say confession is good for the soul. For your penance, you will watch all 5 "Beaver Pond Wildlife" parts.
Wow
Thanks for this video and all the other ones in this series, and your answer to my earlier question. Can you also identify the bird calling at 40:41?
That's a veery.
@@NewEnglandForests Thanks again!
Looks like those branches were cut by a chainsaw
You have a keen eye... the black birch was on a slope and had been felled by beavers, but the top didn't fall all the way to the ground. The top branches were hanging down, and were blocking a seldom-used footpath along the stream. Someone cut a few of the small branches, apparently with a hand saw, to clear the way.
👌
Amazing!!!!
❤️❤️❤️🙏
tbh i never knew, beaver would abandon their pond when food is out of supply. i'd rather thought there is such a high competetition for adequate habitats that an abandoned pond would be taken over by new families so the dam has no chance to rot and or collapse.
Like all other animals, beavers must have food, so yes, when they've exhausted the supply of food trees within range around the pond, they'll abandon the site. They may still have an adequate summer food supply of green, herbaceous plants, but to survive the winter they must be able to build a cache of tree branches (with edible bark) near their lodge that they can access and feed on throughout the winter. They have no problem building a dam, so maintaining an existing one is not a great concern if food isn't available. Once the pond is abandoned and eventually drains, the wet meadow habitat that replaces it will soon sprout new trees that typically are of species that will once again attract beavers in a matter of years. In the meantime, it's habitat that is highly attractive for any number of other animal species.
@@NewEnglandForests yh it m akes nense. perhaps was considering too much the german siutation, where habitat is sich a competetive issue, that there will be no abandoned habitat at all. however, the winters ten dto be pretty mild in the last years so maybe others factors are on the table here
I am curious as to how long a beaver can hold its breath and swim or work under water.
My understanding is that a beaver can hold its breath underwater for about 15 minutes.
@@NewEnglandForests , for a mammal other than whales and dolphins, that's incredible. I don't know if seals can function that long underwater on just one breath. Beavers must have a slow metabolism, or perhaps they can slow their own heartrate.
@@goodun2974Beaver lungs are incredible things! Humans have an oxygen to carbon-dioxide exchange rate of around 15-20%. For beavers, that number is 75%. Their lungs are four to five times more efficient than our lungs. On top of that, their lungs are large in comparison to their overall body size. Without any effort, they can stay under water for 15 minutes while also swimming for a distance of half a mile at the same time. It's all about the size of their lungs and the superior oxygen exchange in their blood from vastly more efficient lungs.
They navigate under water using their whiskers and detecting vibration in the water. Their eyesight under water is very short range. It's better on land, but their eyesight is not their best sense, but it is believed that they see in colour and is something they use in choosing a good tree for felling. Their best sense is smell. They can recognise other beavers and even humans they have met years before by their smell.
While underwater they have little valves in their ears which close automatically, but they also have very sensitive hearing so they can detect vibrations in the water that may signal a predator approaching. There is a third eyelid membrane which comes down to protect their eyes. And most brilliantly, they have what can best be described as inner lips and valve mechanism in the throat which means they can eat under water.
They take in vegetation with the inner lips closed. Close the outer mouth, open the inner lips (flaps) to chew while also closing off the throat. When ready to swallow, they keep the outer mouth closed, the inner lips closed, open the throat and swallow. The inner lips or flaps are also closed when they gnaw down trees, stopping the wood chippings getting into their mouth and throat. They are, quite simply, the most incredible creatures.
@@snowysnowyriver wow, that was great bonus info! just incredible how Nature and the cosmos creates unimaginable richness yet practicality. Long live the beaver and biodiversity. Thank you so much for sharing those great details.
That's right¡ about 15minutes.
Where is this pond. I’d like to visit it!
Suggestion: check aerial/satellite views of your area on Google (or other) maps. Look for forests with streams and wetlands in relatively level bottomlands (not steeper slopes), and go for a walk there. You're quite likely to find signs of beavers being there. And even if they're not, you'll likely see other very interesting things. Take your time, and stop to examine small details. A walk in such places is always rewarding for me.
@@NewEnglandForests That's a great answer. It's like a fisherman will never share his best spots, especially on the web. You have to get out there yourself, spend time, try and fail many times until you find good places. I salute you good sir.
Strange whenever a beaver shakes its head i hear what almost sounds like dog tags?
I believe what you're hearing may be water or bits of ice being shaken off.
@@NewEnglandForests that makes sense! Thank you. I'v listened to this with phone n my pocket as i clean. And tho i can't see i'm still blessed! Good job.👍🏻
Could someone tell me what the red plants behind the beaver den at 8:16 are called?
I believe that is one of the Smartweed species.
@@NewEnglandForests thank you, and thank you for all the work you put into your channel. I've learned so much from your videos 🙂
You’re welcome, I hope some of this info enhances your enjoyment of the outdoors. I learn something new and interesting every time I head into the woods. -Ray
First
Around 29:15, you show a dark brown mustelid and refer to it as a fisher. The small ears and overall body size should make this a mink, though, instead of a fisher.
This one was a tough call. I too thought it was a mink while filming it, and my cohort thought fisher. After studying the footage more closely on a large computer screen, I came to the conclusion that it was a fisher. There is no white patch under the chin, which a mink would likely have. The ears aren’t easy to see, but aren’t that small. The tail is quite bushy, and the body seems heavier/bulkier than the mink I’ve seen here. Also, I had seen fresh fisher tracks in snow shortly before seeing this animal; that alone proves nothing, but is another piece of evidence. You could be right, but I’ll stick with fisher. Either way, it’s always a treat to see these wild weasels.
@@NewEnglandForests I've seen quite a few mink, and to me this looks like a fairly chunky looking one with probably a very small white patch (I think you can see the tiny bit of white at exactly 29:16). I've definitely seen dark, chunky mink like this in the winter before. They seem to be more pale and skinny in summer. However, I've never seen a fisher in person, so I could be biased towards the mustelid I've got more experience with. I definitely agree about them being a treat though :) they're all very fun to watch.
Well, maybe you _have_ seen a fisher and didn't realize it?
@@NewEnglandForests The large mink that come to mind were in Toronto, and I don't think there's been any fishers there for a few decades now.
Which state in NE is this in?
The 5-part series was filmed in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
I know you can eat Beaver the meat must be foul.
I can't imagine why it would be. I'm sure they remove the scent & oil glands.
What is the fruit the cedar waxwing is eating at 2:30? Is that a shrub or a tree?
That is Autumn Olive, which is a non-native, invasive shrub (but the ripe fruits ARE tasty!).
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