Following the licensed release of four beavers at Willington Wetlands Reserve in 2021, one pair bred and the first kits (baby beavers) to be born in Derbyshire since the 13th century arrived in July last year.

Now the beavers have expanded the family with two more kits recently sighted and captured on camera after another successful year of Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts’ beaver reintroduction programme.

The growing beaver family will play a crucial role in making Derbyshire wilder, helping to manage the landscape within the Trent Valley, which will in time reduce flooding risk downstream whilst also storing carbon.

Speaking about the newest arrivals to the reserve, Henry Richards, Trent Valley Living Landscape Officer at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome two more beavers to Willington. The beaver reintroduction programme only started two years ago, but thanks to the hard work of volunteers, staff and partners, this family of beavers has a resilient environment in which to thrive.

“By reintroducing beavers and keeping human impact low, Willington has become a mosaic of prime wetland habitats creating an important sanctuary for wildlife. The beavers have shaped and improved the site in ways that we couldn’t have imagined by coppicing trees and shrub species, damming smaller water courses, and digging the start of 'beaver canal' systems.

“These activities have been instrumental in creating a diverse and dynamic wetland which have provided enormous benefits for wildlife including otters, water voles, kingfisher, egret, and bittern, which have bred for the first time in Derbyshire. We look forward to the family continuing to grow!”

Due to the success of the beaver reintroduction programme at Willington, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust has now recruited a Beaver Feasibility Officer whose role will be focused on building a long-term sustainable strategy for beaver reintroductions in Derbyshire.

Find out more about Derbyshire beavers and Willington Wetlands here.