This week Alex Fletcher reported seeing a beaver (Castor canadensis) come ashore and go up into Gooch Creek which flows into the ocean on Taylor Beach. He is well aware of what the river otters which usually come into that creek look like so was able to identify this as definitely being a beaver. I checked the tracks later on that day and was able to confirm the set of beaver tracks over the beach and into the stream entrance on shore. The tell tail heavy wide groove left by the dragging tail was clear. We have been on the watch for evidence of it up in Gooch Creek since but have not seen anything.
I would be interested in hearing if anyone else has seen evidence of beavers this far south on Vancouver Island. ( See attached distribution map)