In your article (‘No one knows where it came from’: first wild beaver spotted in Norfolk in 500 years, 7 December), you quote the Beaver Trust as saying that, as well as Norfolk, wild beavers have been spotted in Kent, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Herefordshire.
I can tell you that we also have beavers in Berkshire. I live by the River Kennet and I caught one on my garden trail camera in August, along with otters in the same 30-second clip. The identification of the beaver is unmistakable, and was confirmed by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon wildlife trust. Two weeks ago, my neighbour caught a beaver on her garden trail camera. Her garden is 50 yards downstream of ours.
Two independent beaver sightings three months apart suggest that the beaver or beavers are resident. I have heard anecdotally of beaver gnawings in the area, but I cannot confirm that. There are beavers in captivity at Ewhurst Park 10 miles away, but inquiries with them have confirmed that they have not had any escapees.
Perhaps wild beavers are more widespread than anyone, including the Beaver Trust, realises.
Richard Foster
Thatcham, Berkshire
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