Photo credit, Nick Upton
Where to see beavers
Beaver watching on the River Otter
Beavers are now present in multiple river catchments across Devon including the River Otter, the River Tamar, the River Taw and the River Exe. There are family groups of beavers living throughout the whole length of the River Otter and some of its tributaries, and this remains the best area to see beavers. Fortunately, this area is well covered by footpaths very close to the riverbank.
Beavers are regularly spotted around Otterton village, with activity often highest to the south of the village - but this is not guaranteed each year. There are public footpaths on the riverbank both upstream and downstream of Otterton and some stretches of the lower River Otter have a public footpath on both banks. If you don’t see beavers close to Otterton, it is also worth walking upstream while visibility is good, perhaps as far as the footbridge over the river near the village of Colaton Raleigh.
Nick Upton
Tips for responsible beaver watching
During the summer months, a beaver family will stay close to the ‘lodge’ and they can be especially vulnerable to disturbance. Help us give Devon's beavers the best possible chance to rear their young successfully, and ensure that everyone can continue to watch them...
- Stay on footpaths at all times
- However tempting it might be, please don't access the river to get close sightings or photos
- Keep dogs on leads
- Avoid disturbing wildlife (keep noise levels low and avoid shining lights on to the river)
- Respect the rights of people fishing on the river
- Take binoculars
When to see beavers
Beavers are charismatic animals and are not that difficult to see, if you spend enough time by the river in the right areas. They are nocturnal for much of the year, but during the light summer evenings they can be seen during daylight hours, especially from late afternoon to early evening, and – for early risers – soon after dawn. Beaver kits have been active in daylight hours in late summer in some years too.
Mike Symes
Early evenings between May and September offer the best chance of seeing adult beavers, and occasionally beaver kits. Be prepared to stay on the riverbank paths until near dark and take a small torch with you. Wear enough layers of clothing to keep warm and choose dark colours and materials that don’t make much noise when you move. Take a pair of binoculars with you if possible – as well as beavers, you might spot an otter or some of the resident birds on the river: kingfishers, dippers, grey wagtails.
Remember to follow The Countryside Code and please respect the landowners and other users of the river.
Mike Symes
To increase your chances of seeing beavers, we advise dog-owners to leave their pet at home. Beavers have a very acute sense of smell and although they can be quite tolerant of dogs on the riverbank, they can perceive them as a threat, especially when they have vulnerable kits in early to mid-summer. If you do have a dog with you while looking for beavers please ensure it stays on the riverbank - and certainly keep it out of the water in the weeks after kits have been born (May-July.)
David R White
Beaver tours
DWT occasionally runs beaver walks which are available to book via our events page during the summer months. Where these beaver events are fully booked, visitors can arrange a walk with a local wildlife-watching company Devon Beaver Tours.
Russell Savory
See beavers from the comfort of your home
Enjoy footage from our trail cameras capturing the activity of beavers on the River Otter, their interactions with other wildlife and the way different species use beaver dams on our YouTube channel.