Beavers live in small family groups, formed by a pair of adults and any young they’ve had that year, and sometimes the young from the previous year, too. Pairs usually stay together for life. Breeding takes place between December and April and the pregnancy lasts for 103-108 days. Females give birth to their litter of 1-6 young in early summer (the average litter is 2-3 young). The young, called kits, reach sexual maturity at two years old, but don’t tend to breed successfully until they’re at least three.

Kev Feeney, Senior Living Landscapes Officer for Cheshire Wildlife Trust said:
We’re delighted with the discovery of two beaver kits at Hatchmere Nature Reserve. It’s coming up to the two-year anniversary since Rowan and Willow were released back in 2020, so it’s nice to have a small beaver family living in Cheshire for the first time in 400 years.

Now the siblings just need names!

The names Rowan and Willow were chosen by members of the public and local school children in 2021. The Trust now want you to name the new arrivals.

Cheshire Wildlife Trust members and supporters of their beaver appeal (either via donations or by adopting a beaver) are currently submitting names for the pair. Anyone who joins as a member or supports their appeal before 12pm on Friday 21st October 2022 will be eligible to submit a name by visiting: cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/beaver-appeal

Kev Feeney, Senior Living Landscape Officer will create a shortlist of his 10 favourites and put these to a public vote. The two names with the most votes will be the names of the new baby beavers.

Details you need to vote for your favourite name will be available on the Cheshire Wildlife Trust website and the Trust’s social media channels when the voting opens on the 4^th November 2022. cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

Why are Cheshire Wildlife Trust bringing beavers back?

England is one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries in the world. Beavers offer a chance to reverse the dramatic decline in our wildlife by allowing nature to restore itself. The Government’s decision to allow a wild population of beavers to remain in the river Otter in East Devon has reinforced the importance of bringing these animals back into England’s countryside.

The River Otter beaver trial showed that the animals' skill replenished and enhanced the ecology of the river catchment in East Devon. They increased the "fish biomass” and improved the water quality. This meant more food for otters - beavers are herbivores - and clearer and cleaner water in which kingfishers could flourish.

Their dams worked as natural flood-defences, helping to reduce the risk of homes flooding downstream.

The Cheshire Wildlife Trust project is one of 25 beaver reintroductions in England, with other sites in the South West, Kent, Gloucestershire, East Anglia and Yorkshire.

See the first footage of the new beaver kits below