Beaver

[Romeo]

Are beaver salt water tolerant?

There are a few of them about in Argyll, and I was camping in the Faerie Isles, not far from one of their hideouts. In the very late evening, I was dozing, when there was a massive splash. Sounded like a fat bloke coming off a high dive, but there was no high dive, and no fat blokes anywhere near. All other noises were the sounds of nature, as you can imagine. I am just struggling to know what the splash (which was not repeated) was. There were seals about, there were large seabirds about. However I was just wondering if it might have been a beaver slapping its tail on the water surface. Any ideas?

 

[Sybarite]

Otter?

 

[Quandary]

Yes, a lot more otters than beavers where you were, most of the beavers are in the fresh water Knapdale Lochs and they are being counted nearly every night (I think they are not as randy as SNH were hoping) Earlier in the project they did lose one and there were rumours it had made its way to the Crinan Canal but since they could not find it it could have gone anywhere.

 

[Romeo]

I dont think otters ever sound like a fat lad off a high dive.

 

[Quandary]

I dont think otters ever sound like a fat lad off a high dive.

Nor do I, so how about a seal, still more of them there than beavers?

 

[Puffin10032]

More likely to be a Seal than a Beaver and of our two main Seal Species somewhat more likely to be a Common Seal than a Grey Seal. I've read that the Faerie Isles are fabulous. I'd love to visit them some day.

 

[Monique]

I have the absolute answer... from a Canadian who knows beavers...

When frightened, they will slap their tails on the water surface as they dive. BIG noise.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

Almost certinly not a beaver in salt or brackish water.
Otters don't usually make puffing nosies. Far more likely seal, harbour porpoise or last night's curry. All sound much the same when awoken unexpectedly.
My guess is seal.

 

[bikedaft]

Almost certainly a seal. There are usually many in there on the rocks.

Cracking spot, did you find a level spot to camp on that island? ☺

 

[Romeo]

I have the absolute answer... from a Canadian who knows beavers...

When frightened, they will slap their tails on the water surface as they dive. BIG noise.

Yes, that is what it sounded like, although it could also have been a seal rolling of a ledge. Perhaps.

Cracking spot, did you find a level spot to camp on that island? ☺

My tiny (dark green) tent is actually visible in the pic. Just an amazing spot, and with it being totally still at night you could hear every little noise the wild life made (as well as one big noise). One of the best nights ever spent on a sailing expedition.

 

[bikedaft]

once I was swimming beside a group of seals, and the bull(?) repeatedly came to wihin 3m or so and made large splashing noises. v worrying... i sprinted for the shore, but they never touched me. they were probably laughing at how cr@p my swimming was compared to them...

 

[bikedaft]

ps the seals are pretty used to boats in Faerie isles. i think they can distinguish between boats, or maybe that's my imagination. they really like the rocks on the L of the island as you look at your pic, so maybe they were getting a bit "territorial"?

 

[Mark-1]

In the very late evening, I was dozing, when there was a massive splash. Sounded like a fat bloke coming off a high dive, but there was no high dive, and no fat blokes anywhere near.

I was kayaking at night in Chi Harbour midwinter and heard exactly the same sound. I seriously wondered if I was hearing someone dump a dead body! Thanks to this thread I'm pretty sure it was a seal. I must confess I've never seen on jump out of the water and slam in.